More than a decade ago The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce decided to create a signature event to capture the spirit of the community and invite the world to join in. Nearby St. Joseph, home to Kumquat Growers, Inc. had long proclaimed itself the World Kumquat Capital. In 1998, Chamber Executive Director Phyllis Smith thought the tiny fruit with it's funny name (W.C. Fields referred to any lady friend as "my little kumquat") would be the perfect centerpiece for a hometown festival.
And although Dade City competes directly with Tampa's GasparillaPirate Parade, our Kumquat Festival boasts more than 250 booths lining Meridian Avenue between State Road 52 and Highway 301 and crowds estimated to be as large as 40,000. Visitors sample all manner of Kumquat Cuisine from pies, smoothies, marmalade, cookies and ice cream to salsa. Many choose to come to Dade City instead of Tampa because they are looking for a more family oriented and down home experience.
With live music, wagon rides, face painting, Square Dancing, Antique Cars and Trucks, a 10k walk and a 5k run, an Arts & Crafts Show, a Beauty Contest set around Dade City's Historic Courthouse Square with its unique shops and restaurants, the Kumquat Festival has earned its reputation for great entertainment and fun.
The largest fundraiser of the year for the Chamber is also a top rated venue for local non-profits, schools and area businesses who roll out the red carpet for the thousands of visitors. Many who come for the Kumquat Festival become regular visitors returning to enjoy the historic downtown courthouse square on a less hectic day.Our favorite story is of returning visitors Regina Polsky and 
Jerry Witts who decided to get married in Dade City five years after their first visit to the Kumquat Festival. They called the Chamber to find a notary to perform a quiet service. But when staff member Lucy Avila h eard their story she set about making their wedding as special as possible. 
From flowers and kumquat wedding pie to accommodations, local merchants were recruited to provide whatever was needed to make their wedding romantic and memorable with Dade City flair. With the Kumquat Festival Queens of all ages as bridesmaids and the couple arriving by trolley, the wedding took place in front of the Historic Courthouse.
Jerry Witts who decided to get married in Dade City five years after their first visit to the Kumquat Festival. They called the Chamber to find a notary to perform a quiet service. But when staff member Lucy Avila h eard their story she set about making their wedding as special as possible. From flowers and kumquat wedding pie to accommodations, local merchants were recruited to provide whatever was needed to make their wedding romantic and memorable with Dade City flair. With the Kumquat Festival Queens of all ages as bridesmaids and the couple arriving by trolley, the wedding took place in front of the Historic Courthouse.This year, Chamber Executive Director Nita Beckwith is organizing her third Kumquat Festival and is planning for the biggest and best event ever. A special Chamber Committee meets regularly throughout the year for the months of preparation needed to transform this Main Street Community into a party that is recognized as Florida's Best One-Day Event!
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