Question: What is the oldest annual festival in the Sunshine State?
Answer: The Chasco Fiesta in New Port Richey.
The Chasco Fiesta, founded in 1922, and held every year since 1947, is the oldest annual festival in Florida. It is based on the fictional legend of Queen Chasco and King Pithla, a Spanish boy and girl who are captured by Calusa Indians. Their names are borrowed from the Pithlachascotee River that winds through New Port Richey. Known to locals as simply “Chasco,” the event extends across two weekends in March.
