Port Richey committee schedules drum circle during centennial festival; performer to be booked

The Port Richey Citizens Advisory Committee agreed to add a community drum circle to the city’s Centennial Festival, scheduling the performance for Saturday the 17th from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Waterfront Park.

Committee member and public commenter Laurie Simpson proposed the event and said she had secured performer Ishmael Delgado, who leads drum circles in Palm Harbor and Dunedin. Simpson told the committee the performer quoted $150 and said she was prepared to cover that fee herself; committee members raised no objection to covering the fee out of the event budget if needed.

Why it matters: The drum circle is planned as a family-friendly entertainment element meant to expand the festival’s offerings beyond the parade, concert and fireworks. Committee discussion addressed timing so the drum circle would not compete with the scheduled Johnny Cash tribute (6–9 p.m.) and fireworks and to give people a reason to stay in the park for the whole evening.

Committee members and staff discussed logistics: the event will be placed near the dog-park side of Waterfront Park where there is more shade, the performer will bring extra drums for public participation, and food trucks and vendors will remain in the park. Simpson said she can supply about 20 chairs and encouraged attendees to bring their own; staff said vendor hours would run roughly 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. and that chair rental could be sourced from local rental companies if needed. The committee confirmed the drum circle is on the event flyer and website and instructed staff and the festival leads to finalize layout and timing as they coordinate the DJ, concert and fireworks launch time.

The committee left booking to Simpson and staff to finalize logistics, including vendor application cutoffs, vendor spacing and coordination with the fire department on fireworks timing.