The Dade City area and the Kumquat Growers Inc. are the nations largest producer and shipper of kumquats, and on Saturday, January 28th they celebrated with the 9th Annual Kumquat Festival, which included a Car & Truck Show. For those that don’t know, the kumquat is a sweet and sour fruit, a member of the citrus family, and is a delicacy whether eaten fresh or preserved. With a thick sweet peel and a tart pulp, it is eaten skin and all (except for the seeds), and is also a favorite for jellies, marmalade and crystallizing. Its unique flavor lends itself as a pleasant addition to many dishes, desserts and salads.

The car show portion was also a pleasant addition to the festival for spectators and participants alike, and by the end of registration 142 vehicles were entered. The vehicles were broken into age categories, with 30 trophies for cars and trucks that were 1979 or older, and 20 for those 1980 and newer. In addition there were two Best Of Shows (one for each respective age category), plus a Best Paint, Best Engine, Best Interior, and Best Graphics, bringing the total to 56 trophies presented. Dash plaques went out to the first 200 registered, DJ “Starvin’ Darvin” Lewis spun the klassix tunes, plus there were door prizes and a 50/50 raffle.

Other Kumquat Festival activities included live entertainment, lots of food, street fair, craft show with over 200 crafters, farmers’ market, vintage fashion show, wagon rides, children’s events and even an antique tractor display to go along with the Kumquat agricultural theme. With a crowd estimated at over 30,000 there was something for everyone.

If all of this sounds like a good time to you plan for the 10th Annual Kumquat Festival in 2007. You can have some fun in the car show area, plus see all of the Kumquat products, taste dishes made from this small, tangy citrus fruit and experience the beauty of small town life in the rolling hills of Pasco County. Keep an eye on our Coming Attractions section as the date draws closer, or for more info call the Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce at 352-567-3769. CN