Dade City is the seat of Pasco County, with an iconic historic courthouse and the east side Government Center. It has approximately 7,000 residents and is growing. The City is 6.183 square miles in size with rolling hill topography. Dade City is popular with tourists for its antique stores, restaurants and historic architecture including the Pasco County Courthouse, Hugh Embry Library, and Edwinola. The annual Kumquat Festival is hosted downtown. It is home to the Pioneer Florida Museum, a historic train depot and an industrial center.
Have you ever wondered what a garden club does? The Dade City Garden Club states it is dedicated to the education of its members and the public in the fields of gardening, horticulture, landscape design, floral design, and environmental awareness. They are a 501c3 nonprofit organization whose members noticed that… Read More
Kumquats are fun to eat, and the word kumquat is fun to say, so it stands to reason that the Kumquat Festival January 25 in Dade City is going to be a fantastically fun event for all! Promoted as a family-friendly alternative to Tampa’s Gasparilla, the Annual Kumquat Festival… Read More
Contributed by Sally Redden During National Garden Week, June 2 – 8, 2019, the Dade City Garden Club delivered floral bouquets and sweets to 27 Dade City businesses, and each month from October 2019 through May 2020, “Thank You flowers” will be presented to one of the community’s businesses. … Read More
Kumquats are fun to eat and the word kumquat is fun to say, so it stands to reason that the Kumquat Festival January 26 in Dade City is going to be a fantastically fun event for all! Today, NatureCoaster explores all things kumquat to help prepare you for the 22nd… Read More
Fall in Florida is a great time to get outside and create a new garden or add something new to your landscape! Come down to the Dade City Garden Club on Saturday, October 24, 2020, between 9 am and 1 pm and take advantage of our “Planting Seeds–Growing Friends and… Read More
Have you ever wondered what a garden club does? The Dade City Garden Club states it is dedicated to the education of its members and the public in the fields of gardening, horticulture, landscape design, floral design, and environmental awareness. They are a 501c3 nonprofit organization whose members noticed that… Read More
A continuing goal of the Rotary Club of Dade City Sunrise; it to partner with Pasco Education Foundation to take advantage of a matching grant and provide books to local elementary schools. Rotary Club of Dade City Sunrsie Donates Books for the 11th Year in a Row! In their… Read More
Back in February & March 2020 before COVID-19 shook our world, two new members were inducted into the Rotary Club of Dade City Sunrise! Jordon Frier was pinned by his sponsor Randy Bush and DGE Jeanie Germain during the regular Thursday 7:00 am meeting at the Hampton Inn in Dade… Read More
Brian E. Corley, Supervisor of Elections, announces the Monday, July 20, 2020 deadline to register to vote or change your party affiliation for the August 18, 2020 Primary Election. Deadline to Register to Vote or Change Your Party for the 2020 Primary Election All three elections’ offices will be open… Read More
Two full-day classes will be offered July 23 and August 5, 2020 ServSafe Manager Certification Class and Exam Session The UF/IFAS Pasco County Cooperative Extension Service is offering two opportunities to take the ServSafe Manager Certification Class and Exam. Sessions will be held July 23 and… Read More
The Pasco County Historical Society announces the March 20, 2020 meeting is to be held at 6:00 P.M. at the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, located at 15602 Pioneer Museum Road in Dade City, Florida. The meeting will be held in the Mabel Jordan Barn. Guests are welcome. A… Read More
The Friends of Hugh Embry Library announce that the monthly Book Bazaar will be held on March 13 – 14, 2020 from 10 A.M. until 2:00 P.M. at the Hugh Embry Branch Library of the Pasco County Library System. The Hugh Embry library is located at 14215 Fourth Street in… Read More
The Pioneer Florida Museum & Village will present its annual spring living history event: The Battle of Santa Rosa Island on February 29 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm and March 1, 2020, from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. The Battle of Santa Rosa Island presents a historical backdrop to… Read More
Hands-on, morning class February 25, 2020, includes food and supplies UF/IFAS Pasco Extension Hosts Canning Strawberry Jam Class The UF/IFAS Pasco County Cooperative Extension Service is offering a canning strawberry jam class on February 25, 2020, at the One Stop Shop Stallings building in Dade City. WHAT: … Read More
January 27, 2020 Letter to the Editor On behalf of the Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce, our Board of Directors and staff would like to offer a heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers, sponsors (especially our Headlining Sponsor, AdventHealth Dade City), vendors and supporters of the 23rd Annual… Read More
~~UF/IFAS Pasco Extension offers full-day class, exam February 5, 2020~~ ServSafe Manager Certification Class and Exam Session The UF/IFAS Pasco County Cooperative Extension Service is offering a ServSafe Manager Certification Class and Exam session on February 5, 2020, at the One Stop Shop Stallings building. … Read More
In the rolling hills of eastern Pasco County, is a place where Southern hospitality can be felt: Dade City. Established in 1889, this Nature Coast gem is the seat of Pasco County. Its downtown restaurants, antique, and specialty shops are fun to visit – you may want to stay – and you will probably return.
In recent years, Dade City has become synonymous with its largest event, the Kumquat Festival. Kumquats are a marvelous fruit that is both sweet and sour. The whole town joins in this annual celebration held the last weekend of January, and there are many reasons to visit this Nature Coast town any day of the week.
The historic architecture.
The Atlantic Coast Line Railroad building in Dade City was constructed in 1912. Image by Diane Bedard
On September 14, 1885, the first regular train of the Florida Central and Peninsular Railway passed through Dade City. A historic brick rail station, originally built in 1912, is on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, it houses a Heritage and Cultural Museum.
The iconic Pasco County Courthouse was built in 1909, and a thriving downtown radiates from it. Designed by noted architect Edward Columbus Hosford in the Classical Revival style, it is also on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Visitors can view the common areas inside. The craftsmanship is impressive.
The 1909 historic Pasco County courthouse is a Dade City icon and is registered on the the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Visitors can look inside. Image by Diane Bedard.
Dade City Educational Institutions and Attractions
Two excellent educational institutions, St. Leo University and Pasco-Hernando State College, are located in the Greater Dade City area, as is the Pioneer Florida Museum. On the outskirts is an exotic animal attraction, Giraffe Ranch, a Tree Hoppers adventure park, SnowCat Ridge, and the Joy-Lan Drive In Theater, where you can see first-run movies or attend a swap meet on weekends.
The Joy Lan Drive In Theater offers first run movies weekly in an old-fashioned outdoor experience! Images by Diane Bedard
But the real magic of Dade City, in my opinion, is the charm of its residents and proprietors.
Dade City Shopping & Dining
This is a place with local shopkeepers offering service and selection. Choose from several antique stores in the downtown area offering selections from primitive to ostentatious at all price points. It is really fun to go from shop to shop and see what is new in the “old stuff” while reliving memories from finding a toy, tool, or piece of art reminiscent of one’s youth.
Antique stores abound in Dade City. Image by Diane Bedard
There are many specialty shops with a little of this and a little of that, including home décor and furniture, fashion and jewelry, whimsical gifts and cards, art and wine, an authentic Mexican market and taqueria, grocery items and more. Most of these shops offer modest prices and excellent service.
Historic Buildings house fun shops with whimsical gifts., window displays and comfortable service. Image by Diane Bedard.
Plan to stay for a meal because there are at least twenty restaurants to choose from! Sandwich shops and bakeries lead to fire-grilled gourmet and restaurants owned and run by top-chefs – all located within historic and sometimes eclectic buildings. A tea room decorates for each season located next to a quilt shop that offers classes.
The variety of choices ensures that you will find what suits your palate and your wallet right in the courthouse square. Lunch on Limoges is famous for its servers wearing starched white uniforms and its open kitchen – but I always remember their Fairy Cake.
If you get lucky, you might find Fairy Cake when you visit Dade City. Image courtesy of Robin Draper, AuthenticFlorida.com
Dade City is a pet-friendly place and some restaurants offer outdoor seating and even a menu for your canine companion. A huge pet store offers everything from healthy treats to custom specialty items to visitors. The owners welcome your pets in the store and love to help solve diet and skin problems with their extensive line of products.
There is a true community atmosphere here. Originally a farming community, you will find ranchers and farm workers traveling through or stopping in for a meal while visiting Dade City.
Del Carmen is a special Mexican market and Taqueria. The interior mural is magnifico! Image by Diane Bedard
Parks and Gardens
Several parks are located in the downtown area, including Hibiscus Park where a farmers market is held the first Saturday of every month from September through May, and Price Park, which offers more traditional city recreation including playground equipment, racquetball and tennis courts, and picnic tables with barbecue grills.
There is a strong Garden Club in Dade City, contributing to the City’s beauty and charm with certified Butterfly Gardens. Additionally, the Dade City Garden Club has put on a Monarch Butterfly Festival and Dade City is a Monarch City USA.
Enjoy the historic buildings as you meander around. Historic storefronts abound. It can be fun to discover what’s inside, such as exposed brick walls from the early 1900s.
Sometimes one visits a place and not everyone wants to shop; Then what? Dade City has a nice cigar bar, sports bars, coffee shops, and a Brass Tap location featuring several locally crafted brews for refreshment, including seasonal kumquat flavored brews.
Plan to attend the Kumquat Festival
Dade City plays host each year to a large number of popular community-sponsored events, including the Kumquat Festival, Church Street Christmas, and the Country Christmas Stroll. A former Main Street organization, the Dade City Merchants Association puts on several events throughout the year, including Antique Faire & Markets in the spring and fall and a monthly Car Cruise In around the Courthouse Square. There is a strong Chamber of Commerce that provides visitor information and business promotion.
A nice Hampton Inn is south of downtown if you decide to stay overnight because you simply want to see more than one day will accommodate. Stop in and visit Dade City.
Plan to visit for an event and stay to enjoy the leisurely pace and friendly residents. You’ll be glad you did.
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