The Port Richey Events Committee voted to schedule the Seafood Festival and fishing tournament for Saturday, March 14, 2026, endorsing a one‑day, all‑day format with activities for families and a fishing tournament component.

Chairman John Eric Huber said the committee would coordinate the festival with the Chamber of Commerce, which runs a monthly community market that the committee expects to leverage for vendor management. During the meeting members proposed programming that would include music, a kid’s activity zone, a fishing tournament with a late‑day weigh‑in, rotating bands, and the possibility of a beer tent subject to council approval and permitting.

"So March I make a motion to have, the seafood festival and fishing tournament on 03/14/2026 on Saturday, long day from the mornings to the evening hours, like 11PM," said a committee member moving the date; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.

Committee members discussed budget and sponsorship strategies, using the Centennial sponsorship tiers as a model and aiming to supplement city support with sponsor funds. The committee reviewed preliminary vendor fees discussed in the meeting: $100 for food trucks, $50 for beverage tents, and a range of craft/vendor fees (examples cited in discussion included $25–$150 depending on vendor type). Members also discussed a near‑term vendor application update that would include a no‑refund policy with narrow exceptions (medical emergency or event cancellation).

Several members favored parsing responsibilities so that the Chamber could handle vendor signups and general vendor insurance for smaller vendors, while the city would continue to handle permitted food‑truck inspections and essential event logistics. Staff were assigned follow‑up tasks: prepare a sponsorship packet, draft vendor flyers with the new refund/credit policy, check park permit and alcohol‑permit requirements, and confirm a 60–90 day coordination window with other jurisdictions and event partners.

The committee also discussed parking mitigation options for Waterfront Park, including potential use of a private lot with a shuttle service, and noted that coordination with neighboring New Port Richey events will be necessary to avoid schedule conflicts. Members asked staff to return with a sponsorship package and fee schedule at the next meeting.