Kumquats are fun to eat and the word kumquat is fun to say, so it stands to reason that the Kumquat Festival January 27 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 21^st Annual Kumquat Festival. Read on.

What is a Kumquat?

The kumquat is native to China and was given as a traditional gift on New Year’s Day. Translating to “golden coins,” the kumquat represents prosperity, according to information from TV horticulturist Roger Swain, who has long been associated with the Kumquat Festival.

Where Did the Kumquat Festival Come From?

Nearly 100 years ago, Casper Joseph “J. C.” Nathe came to what is now known as St. Joseph, and worked several jobs to make ends meet, including at a nursery near Jessamine owned by J. W. Ellsworth. There, he became acquainted with the kumquat, an ornamental plant that was given to wish prosperity to the recipient.

Nathe planted an acre of kumquat trees in 1912, as well as 50 acres of citrus, and bananas, avocados, guavas, pineapples and vegetables to feed his family and trade for other goods and services.

The Nathe family used the fruit for preserves and they became popular among area residents. Orders started coming in, so they began growing more kumquats. In less than 15 years, Florida Grower magazine crowned J.C. Nathe “the world’s kumquat king.”

Several local St. Joseph families began converting their acreage to the profitable little sweet and sour fruit. From the 1930s to 1962, when a bad freeze destroyed the fruit on most of the trees, the quantity of kumquats grown in this rural area of eastern Pasco County grew and grew.

Kumquat Growers, Inc. was started in 1971 by owners/growers were Charles Barthle, Frank Gude, Joseph and Paul Neuhofer and Fred Heidgerken. Today, Frank and Rosemarie Gude and Joseph and Margie Neuhofer own the nation’s largest producer and shipper of kumquats and kumquat products. They are descendants of the original St. Joseph families that have been growing, packing and selling kumquats for close to 100 years.

Why a Kumquat Festival?

Twenty-one years ago, The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce began holding a festival to celebrate the golden kumquat and all it has contributed to the area. Today, this wholesome, fun, and delicious event features over 420 vendors and 30 sponsors coming together throughout the streets of an historic, charming Southern town to celebrate the little fruit that is both sweet and sour.

“We couldn’t put on such a grand event without our generous sponsors,” John Moors, Executive Director of the Chamber said, “It is great to walk down 7^th Street during the Festival and see the crowds interacting with our sponsors.”

Florida Hospital Zephyrhills is the headlining sponsor for 2018. “We are proud to partner with the Chamber in bringing this family-friendly festival to Dade City. We wanted to show our support for the community in a big way. Every year our staff interacts with the thousands of people who attend this fun event and we have a blast,” said Susan Frimmel, Director of Marketing for Florida Hospital, Zephyrhills.

Premier sponsors include the City of Dade City Community Redevelopment Agency, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Peterson Insurance Agency-Auto Owners Insurance, the Tampa Bay Times, VisitFlorida, and Visit Pasco.

Valued sponsors include Big Storm Brewing, CSX Transportation, Dade City Business Center-JDR Properties of Pasco, Inc., GEICO, Jarrett Ford, Jim Browne Chevrolet-Buick-GMC of Dade City, Jim Browne Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge-Ram of Dade City, Jim Browne Collision Center, Tampa Electric Company (TECO)-Pasco County, Wells Fargo, and Kumquat Growers Inc.

More Valued sponsors include AAA Auto Club Group, All American Gutter Protection, Beef O’Brady’s & The Brass Tap, Boltin Pest Control, CenterState Bank, Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, First Baptist Church of Dade City, First National Bank of Pasco, Hampton Inn Dade City/Zephyrhills, Majestic Oaks Apartments, Metro PCS, Morningside RV Estates, Nicoletti Law Firm, Pasco Hernando State College, Ryman Roofing and Construction, Saint Leo University, Sam’s Club, Senior Helpers, Tobacco Free Florida, Traveler’s Rest Resort, and Verizon Wireless

What Happens at the Kumquat Festival?

Music is held on the 1909 Classical Revival style historic courthouse steps throughout the day, where visitors are encouraged to stop and refresh themselves.  Local entertainment includes many styles from clogging to jazz throughout the day.

Kumquat Festival Entertainment Schedule

9:30 am – 10:00 am – Saint Leo University – Totally TABS

10:00 am – 11:00 am – Calvary Assembly of Dade City – Christian Contemporary; National Anthem/Prayer

11:15 am – 11:45 am – Strawberry Express Cloggers

12 Noon  –   1:30 pm – Eli Mosley – Country

1:45 pm  –  2:00 pm – St. Rita Catholic Church Folklore Dancers

2:15 pm  –  3:15 pm – Dean Johnson’s Music & Friends – Various Styles

3:30 pm  –  4:30 pm – Seventeenth Street – Contemporary/Country

Special thanks to Turning Point Church of Dade City for providing and operating the sound equipment.

The Annual Kumquat Festival® Car & Truck Show, sponsored by O’Reilly Auto Parts, features an amazing variety of classic cars and trucks in the large parking lot of the downtown Robert D. Sumner Judicial Center. Organized by Trophies, dash plaques and a well-organized show attracts some of the nicest vehicles to be seen in the Southeast U.S. Show runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Local storefronts are decorated for the festival in kumquat themes and it can be nice to duck into a shop or restaurant and rest during the festivities. Kumquat craft beer is available for the connoisseur.

Dade City is a great town to visit any day and the unique shops and restaurants that make up this vibrant downtown are another great way to spend part of your day. Antiques, toys, books, jewelry, quilting, and pet supplies are some of the types of shops you will find. Restaurants vary from an authentic tea house to sandwich shops, coffee shops, Mexican, Italian, craft beer and fine dining. Although Dade City is a pet-friendly city, please allow your pets to stay at home during the festival for their safety.

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Unique arts and crafts are fun to discover in many of the vendor booths lining the streets of this quaint city in eastern Pasco County. Many of these artisans return year after year to sell their wares.

Delicious kumquat foods, as well as many ethnic offerings are available to festival goers. There is a myriad of opportunities to sample the tasty little fruit, whether it be as marmalade, cookies, salsa, ice cream, or the delicious kumquat refrigerator pie.

A Kumquat Kids Corral offers families the opportunity to let off some steam with bounce houses, pony rides, games, face painting, sand art, photo booth and more. The health and wellness area gives visitors a chance to talk with providers and glean valuable information.

Make it an Overnight Visit

The 2018 Kumquat Growers Open House will be held at the Kumquat Growers packing house in St. Joseph from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM on the two days before the Kumquat Festival (Jan. 25 and 26). Here you can immerse yourself in the agricultural side of kumquats.

Talks by Frank Gude, President of the Kumquat Growers, share the origin and history of kumquats in the Dade City area. Also learn about the different types of kumquats and how they are used.

Previous years have had Roger Swain, known as the “man in red suspenders,” and host of PBS’ “The Victory Garden” giving this interesting talk.

There are tours of the Kumquat Growers packing house which explain how kumquats are picked, processed, packaged and shipped and a visit to the Kumquat Gift Shop where you will find a little bit of “all things kumquat.”

Lunch and live music, along with some historic demonstrations are provided.

Half hour tram tours allow visitors to see an actual kumquat grove. This tour explains the planting, maintenance and care of kumquat trees for commercial production.

There is a nice Hampton Inn just south of downtown Dade City, and several hotels in Wesley Chapel along the I-75 and SR56/SR54 corridor. Camping and RV hookups can be had at the Travelers Rest Resort.

The Kumquat Festival offers a fun-filled, family friendly alternative to the more boisterous Gasparilla Pirate Fest, held the same day in downtown Tampa.

Free admission, 420 vendors, 30 sponsors, a welcoming downtown, and free shuttle service from parking areas make the Kumquat Festival a must-do for NatureCoasters. Satellite parking lots are at the Pasco County Fairgrounds, 36733 State Road 53, Dade City, and along U.S. 301 across from Jarrett Ford.

The kumquat has become an important part of Florida’s Nature Coast, and the 21^st Annual Kumquat Festival January 27 in downtown Dade City promises to be one not to miss. For more information, click here.

Be sure to plan a visit back to Dade City after the festival for a slower-paced shopping, dining and unwinding experience. John Moors says, “Enjoy the festival and come back to visit soon.”

Additional Kumquat Events

2018 5Kumquat Run

The Dade City Youth Council and the Saint Leo Women’s and Men’s Cross Country teams are putting on this family-friendly 5k event a week before the Kumquat Festival, on January 20. The sponsorship of Florida Hospital and Florida Educators Insurance enabled lower entry fees.

Registration is at 7:00 am, followed by a kids half-mile race at 8:00 am.  The 5K Starts at 8:30 and is planned to be finished by 11 am.

The costs to participate are: 5K Adult Runner: $25.00 entry, 5k race- All students: $5.00 entry, 1/2 Mile race entry: free.

2018 Kumquat Festival Quilt Challenge

Local quilters enter their handiwork at this annual competition. Enjoy the beautiful designs and variety of patterns at the Kumquat Festival Quilt Challenge where you can vote on your favorite item from each category. Some are available for sale.

All items will reflect the 2018 theme “Anything Goes!” and use a splash of orange.

Categories include: Small Quilts (quilted and bound items including wall hangings, table runners/toppers) that are less than 144″ in perimeter, Large Quilts- same as Small Quilts, except perimeter greater than 144″ but less than 250″, and Miniature Quilts with a maximum size of 12″ per side.

The entries may be made by individuals or groups, both machine and hand quilting are acceptable. Each item must have a 4″ wide sleeve attached for hanging, and all techniques (pieced, applique’, art, machine embroidery) are eligible.

There is a separate category for Junior Quilters, ages 17 and under to enter their pieces.

1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in each category will be awarded by business and resident sewing experts, as well as Viewer’s Choice Award Ribbons for 1st place in each category voted on by visitors at the Kumquat Festival January 27.