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Festival Gets Mixed Reviews

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By SHERRI LONON

IN THE LOOP

Published: November 12, 2008

The Land O' Lakes Flapjack Festival might be a three-decade tradition in Central Pasco County, but for organizers, this year was like starting over. Held for the first time at the county fairgrounds in Dade City, the event was down in numbers, but not in spirit, organizers say.

"This was our learning year," said Kathy Dunkley, executive director of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce. The chamber organizes the event each year as a fundraiser for itself and a host of community groups. "The crowds were down, but the people who did come had a great time."

The event was moved from its Land O' Lakes home this year for a number of reasons, including concerns over safety and space restrictions. The former location - the Land O' Lakes Community Center on U.S. 41 - just couldn't accommodate the festival any longer in a safe manner, Dunkley said.

"We're not going to jeopardize anyone's life to keep a few people happy," she said of the traffic situation at the former location.

This year's Flapjack Festival ran Oct. 31 through Nov. 2.

Although crowds were thin, Dunkley said several factors, including the economy, likely contributed to that. The opening night, Halloween, conflicted with many other events. Saturday, too, turned out to have a few local conflicts that likely kept people away, she said. Sunday the crowds started to pick up, Dunkley said, but rain drove them away in the afternoon.

Despite the glitches, Dunkley said there were some very positives that came out of the event.

"The facility was beautiful," she said. "The pie and cake (contest) was wonderful. There were a lot of extremely good aspects of the festival."

Attendees gave the event mixed reviews.

"It's larger," commented Eddie Garcia of Land O' Lakes, who made the drive with his wife, Christine, and 6-year-old daughter Arianna. Garcia said he didn't mind going to Dade City for the event, but would prefer a closer location.

For Land O' Lakes resident Meredith Klecker the new location was a welcomed change.

"We outgrew Land O' Lakes and we were faced with the decision to either not have the festival anymore or to move it where it was safer," she said. "So (now) there is ample parking. Parking is free. It's beautiful, the layout is awesome and it's a lot of fun."

Land O' Lakes resident John Gorman, 18, was disappointed in the lack of familiarity with this year's event.

"Land O' Lakes was a lot better," he said. "There were more people we knew and everything like that. The drive was a little long. I probably won't come back next year if it's here."

Lindsey Jones, 18, also of Land O' Lakes, agreed.

She was disappointed some of the vendors weren't the same and the rides also seemed to be different.

The Kress family of Land O' Lakes, however, was having a ball noshing on festival fare and checking out the rides. Olivia, 5, Spencer, 7, and their mother Heather said they were not disappointed.

"We're having a great time," said Heather.

A detailed wrap up of the festival, including final number crunching, has yet to take place, Dunkley said. Once it does, the chamber will begin looking at plans for next year.

What the future holds exactly is not something Dunkley was willing to prognosticate.

She did, however, say "We will keep trying."

Reporter Carole Dickey contributed to this article.

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