Fourteen years ago, as Paul Correia sat by his father’s bedside, he witnessed firsthand the compassion and dignity provided by Gulfside Regional Hospice. In those difficult moments, Correia made a quiet but powerful commitment: he would find a way to give back to the organization that had supported his family when they needed it most. From that promise, Paulie Palooza was born.
What began as a modest grassroots fundraiser has since grown into a signature community event.
Today, Paulie Palooza completely transformed Fifth Avenue in Zephyrhills into a lively festival corridor bursting with energy, music, and color. Dozens of vendors line the street, offering handcrafted goods, local artwork, specialty items, and community resources. Multiple food trucks serve up everything from classic festival fare to local culinary favorites, while live music from area performers fills the air throughout the day.
A silent auction adds another layer of excitement, drawing enthusiastic bidding on a range of items donated by businesses and supporters who want to help push the fundraising total even higher. Families, locals, and visitors flood the festival each year, united in the spirit of celebration and community support.
Despite its growth, the mission of Paulie Palooza remains unchanged: every dollar raised goes directly to Gulfside. This year’s donation, a meaningful contribution, helps Gulfside continue providing essential hospice care to patients and families across the region.
For Correia, watching the festival thrive is both humbling and deeply personal. What started as a tribute to his father has become a community tradition—one that embodies generosity, gratitude, and the power of a single promise kept.
