Community
BY KATLYNN FOX
Georgetown’s 27th annual Red Poppy Festival is returning April 24-26, for a weekend of live performances, local vendors, parades and kid- friendly activities. The two-and-a-half-day festival will draw crowds from across Texas to downtown Georgetown, honoring its history and celebrating the city’s famous owers. A closer look Festivities begin on Friday evening with 175 artisan vendors, selling handcrafted and curated goods, as well as avors from 25 food vendors. Attendees can expect live performances and dancing throughout the square. Musical guest Dysfunkshun Junkshun will bring a blend of R&B, hip-hop, Motown and classic rock to the stage. Saturday will bring a full day of fun and attrac- tions. The morning will commence with the Poppy Parade at 10 a.m. and classic car show at 11 a.m., followed by children’s crafts at the Fun Zone. Music, art and food will be scattered throughout the square all day. The evening will include live performances from Jade Eagleson and headliners, female country duo Maddie & Tae. On Sunday, attendees will again have access to the artisan market and live music. Festivalgoers can also gather for the pup parade at 11:30 a.m. to see a pageant of pets riding in style. Lastly, the festival will include an appearance from Chet Garner, the creator, executive producer, writer and host of the travel show “The Daytripper.” “The Red Poppy Festival is one of Georgetown’s most cherished traditions, bringing our commu- nity together to celebrate the beauty of spring, local talent, and the spirit of our historic down- town,” Sharon Parker, special events and market- ing program manager for the city of Georgetown, stated in a news release. What we know This year marks the rst Red Poppy Festival since the city of Georgetown unveiled its down- town parking garage, adding 315 parking spaces near the square in November. The $23.11 million garage is free and open to the public, featuring a parking guidance system that connects with the city website to show available parking online. Event coordinators are excited to have the What to know for the 27th annual Red Poppy Festival
Artisan vendors Food vendors Red Poppy stage Mayfair stage
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Celebrate stage
Restrooms
Downtown parking garage Shuttle First aid booth Barricade
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PARKING ONLY
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KIDS ZONE
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PARKING ONLY
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MAP NOT TO SCALE N
SOURCE: CITY OF GEORGETOWN COMMUNITY IMPACT
Festival attendees can see live music in the downtown square throughout the weekend across three stages.
Festivalgoers can gather on Sunday for the pup parade at 11:30 a.m.
PHOTOS COURTESY RENEE KNAPEK
additional parking available. Parker said in an email it has been an asset to previous city events, including the Christmas Stroll in December. The garage will be accessible during the event, closing temporarily on Saturday from 6 a.m.-noon for the parade. The city will also provide shuttles on Saturday and Sunday from East View and Georgetown high schools. Additional information about parking can be found online.
The history Red poppies rst appeared in Georgetown when Henry Purl Compton, who served in the American Expeditionary Forces, sent them to his mother after World War I. She planted them at her home on East Seventh Street. They later spread down the river and into Old Town. The Texas Legislature certi ed Georgetown as the “Red Poppy Capital of Texas” in 1990. Now, the city of Georgetown celebrates the return of the red poppies every year with the festival.
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GEORGETOWN EDITION
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