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Check Out the New Capitola Beach Festival !

Coming September 29 - 30, 2018

Website: www.capitolabeachfestival.com

Facebook: Capitola Beach Festival

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Capitola Begonia Festival Celebrates Its Final Year

The Capitola Begonia Festival celebrated its 65th and Final Festival on August 31st - September 4th, 2017. It was an epic occasion. Enjoy photos and event results under Past Festivals. Important Message from Golden State Bulb Growers to the Community: Golden State Bulb Growers formerly the Brown Bulb Ranch and the Brown Family have been honored to donate the begonia blooms to the Capitola Begonia Festival for decades. It has been a symbiotic relationship benefitting both of us. Golden State Bulb Growers will cease operations at the end of 2018. There are many factors involved in this decision, but it comes down to; no longer being profitable to grow flower bulbs in California. We feel privileged to have been world leader in our industry for over a hundred years. All of our flower bulb varieties will continue to be grown in other locations, with a tradition of producing smiles and beautifying the world.

History: This annual four day tradition celebrates the begonia growing and water festival history of Capitola. Brilliant begonias remain its focal point even as the number of events has blossomed. The “gem’ of the Festival is the Nautical Parade of begonia covered floating barges: highlighted by the arrival of countless handpicked begonia blossoms. Nearly every Capitola resident has memories of building a float, picking begonias, or watching the parade.

Begonias once grew abundantly in Capitola, but by the mid 1970’s the only remaining blossoms grew in Marina. Golden State Bulb Growers, continues to be the generous and now singular source of flowers for the Festival. They are retiring from the business of growing begonias, and with them goes our last source of begonia blossoms. They have, however, agreed to partner with the Festival Committee to grow begonias one last year for this 65th Festival.

The Capitola Begonia Festival Committee and Golden State Bulb Growers encourage all who have been a part of the Begonia Festival for the last six decades to come out in September, share your memories, and celebrate the end of a long treasured Capitola community tradition.

Join us for a FREE, Fun, and Family-friendly event held in Capitola Village. The Capitola Begonia Festival is a delightful experience for family members of all ages. Enter the Sand Sculpture contest, show your skills in a Fishing Derby, compete in Row Boat races, and watch a Nautical Parade of begonia-laden floats traveling down Soquel Creek. Create a treasure in Children's Art events, throw a ringer in the Horseshoes tournament, or decorate yourself with begonias! Stroll along the creek to see float builders rush to put the finishing touches on their parade entries. Or, really get involved and put together a team of family and friends to build your own float. You can watch a movie on the beach, or dance to the sounds of the bands. Don't miss this weekend of fun. Come Out and Play!