When: April 11, 2026
Where: New Port Richey, Florida
Sims Park at the Peace Hall ~ 6431 Circle Blvd
Ecology Florida and New Port Richey FarmNet, with support of the City of New Port Richey, will host the 13th annual celebration of the Florida Loquat Festival on Saturday, April 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in New Port Richey at Sims Park in and around historic Peace Hall. This is the only loquat festival in the United States. Thanks to our major sponsor, The New Port Richey Rotary Club; our community supporters, SERVPRO – Team George; and other businesses, groups, and individuals in the community.
The festival is a learning and sharing event to help expand the knowledge and appreciation of the loquat tree and its fruit. There will be presentations on the cultivation of loquat trees, various uses of the fruit and leaves, and presentations about community markets and agrarianism.
We are expecting a substantial harvest this year; yet, as with other fruit festivals, loquat fruit production is subject to weather conditions, and this year’s, erratic winter weather may yet impact fruit development. We will have preserves and other products, and fresh fruit as well. Look for a modest selection of trees. Nurseries have fewer trees this year; but we will have plenty for those who come early. Look for a range of sizes from seedlings and saplings to large trees.
FarmNet nurseries will have smaller trees at lower prices, including seedlings for $5. For best selection of the trees, please come early.
Another important part of the festival is education. Presentations will include instructions on the role of the loquat in sustainable farming and gardening, the use of leaves for tea and health care, and the cultural context of this wonderful tree.
A new addition this year will be a return of the beloved Loquat Art Show – a show featuring local artists working in all media. Artwork at the show will celebrate Florida produce.
The Florida Loquat Festival in New Port Richey, Florida is the only loquat festival in the United States of America. “There are loquat festivals in other parts of the world, from East Asia, through Central Asia, to Europe and North Africa and on to the Caribbean Islands, but New Port Richey is home to only one in the USA” said Dell deChant, one of the event’s organizers.
The festival opens at 10:00 a.m. and runs until 2:00 p.m.: Sims Park at and near Peace Hall.
The festival will have preserves, trees, brochures, scones, loquat inspired crafts, lectures, seeds, poetry books, and fresh fruit. There will also be related events in downtown New Port Richey in week before the festival – including the now famous Loquat Walk, starting at the Public Library, on April 6 and the annual loquat beer tapping on April 8 at Cotee River Brewery. Festival shirts will also be available.
For media contacts contact Dell deChant or Amanda Zborek
(ddechant@tampabay.rr.com) (ajozborek@gmail.com)
We welcome interviews, background comments, and on-camera stories
HERE IS WHAT YOU’LL FIND AT THIS YEAR’S FESTIVAL
Fresh Loquats
Loquat Preserves (jellies, jams, compotes, butters)
Loquat Pastries and scones
Loquat Trees (seedlings to saplings to small mature trees)
Loquat Festival T-Shirts
Brochures
Loquat Poetry Books
Educational Program
Art Show featuring artwork in celebration of Florida Produce
At the Festival
Friendship Farms – Trees
New Port Richey FarmNet – Fruit
The Blarney Scone – Scones
Local Kitchens– Preserves
Preserves, Cookies, Loquat Butter, Mini Bunt Cakes
White Heron Tea and Gifts – Tea & Skincare lotion
Trees
In Downtown New Port Richey
Cotee River Brewery – Beer
Wright’s Natural Market – Smoothies and Fruit (at Wright’s Market)
White Heron Tea and Gifts – Tea & Skincare lotion (at White Heron Tea & Gifts)
Gone Juicing – Juices and Loquat Waffles
Sponsors and Supporters
The Rotary Club of New Port Richey – Major Sponsor
Ecology Florida
New Port Richey FarmNet
West Pasco Art Guild
Keep Pasco Beautiful
SERVPRO – Team George
City of New Port Richey
Cotee River Brewery
City of New Port Richey Environmental Committee
White Heron Tea & Gifts
CIDA Institute of Dental Arts
Grand Gardens
Friendship Farms
The Loquat Trees of the New Port Richey community
For media contacts contact Dell deChant or Amanda Zborek
(ddechant@tampabay.rr.com) (ajozborek@gmail.com)
We welcome interviews, background comments, and on-camera stories
Leave a Reply