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Chamber Gears Up For The Flapjack Festival

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By SHERRI LONON In The Loop

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 22, 2008

With less than two weeks to go until the Flapjack Festival's grand opening in a new location, organizers at the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce are busy finalizing details.

The event, which has been held in Land O' Lakes throughout its entire 30-plus-year history, will move this year to the Pasco County Fairgrounds, 36722 State Road 52, Dade City. The move, officials said, was necessary due to space limitations on the Land O' Lakes Community Center grounds and the impending construction at Sanders Elementary School.

Although this year's festival will be "a little different," it will have all the features festival goers have come to expect, said Kathy Dunkley, the chamber's executive director. The fairgrounds do deliver quite a few perks that previous festivals have not enjoyed, including three stages for live entertainment and events.

"This gives us a better opportunity for our local groups to get more stage time," Dunkley said. In addition, the baby pageant and the Miss Central Pasco pageant will also take place during the festival thanks to the indoor space. The events had to be held at different times and locations in previous years.

These aren't the only highpoints of the new location, however. Gary Williams, the festival's chairman, pointed out that the fairgrounds has full bathrooms, complete with running water.

Beyond flapjacks and community performances, the festival is also famous for its midway. This year will be no different, Dunkley said. The cost for unlimited ride armbands is $20 this year, but area schools and the chamber have advanced sales armbands for $14. This year's festival will have a gate admission charge of $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under, but parking will be free.

The festival runs Oct. 31 through Nov. 2. It is open from 4 to 11 p.m. on Friday, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Entries are still being taken for some of the contests, such as the cake and pie baking event. For more information, visit the chamber Web site at centralpascochamber.com or call (813) 909-2722. To pick up advanced ride armbands, check with area schools or visit the chamber during normal business hours at 2810 Land O' Lakes Blvd. in Land O' Lakes.

Editor Sherri Lonon can be reached at (813) 948-4287 or slonon@mediageneral.com.

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