OCALA, FL (352Today.com) – Girl Scout families from Marion County heading to Saturday’s regional kickoff in Wesley Chapel will get an early taste of two firsts for the 2027 cookie season: a treat made without the major allergens and one baked for four-legged customers.
Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, which includes Marion County troops, hosts Girl Scout Fest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 26 at Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus, 3021 Sports Coast Way in Wesley Chapel. About 2,000 people from the eight-county council are expected. The theme is Guardians on the Green, with eco-hero costumes encouraged.
The cookie rally is the crowd-pleaser. Sparkables, made with Partake, is an oatmeal chocolate-chip cookie dotted with sprinkles and produced in a facility that excludes the nine major allergens. It is described as nut-free, gluten-free, and vegan, aimed at families who have sat out cookie season until now.
Patch Pals is the other debut: the first Girl Scout cookie formulated for dogs. The soft-baked, blueberry-muffin-flavored treats carry patch-inspired designs. Both products go on sale online only starting Jan. 12, 2027.
The rest of the day is built for troops starting a new year: badge stations, outdoor and STEM activities, entrepreneurship booths, workshops led by older girls, and honors for Gold, Silver, and Bronze Award recipients. An event-only patch and shop specials are planned.
Admission is $15 per person; parking is $10 per vehicle. Shirt bundles are available on Eventbrite. Registered girls attend with a registered adult; the public may buy tickets.
The council dates back to a 1913 Tampa troop and serves Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Marion, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sumter counties. 2026 sponsors include Suncoast Credit Union, TECO, TampaWell, Publix Super Markets Charities, Raymond James, LMCU, LifeLink Foundation, Florida Education Fund and Busch Gardens.
To learn more or purchase tickets, click here.