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2017 Begonia Festival: Fishing Derby & Row Boat Races | Capitola

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Monday, September 4, 2017 - All Day | Cost: FREE
Stockton Avenue (Capitola) | Stockton Ave., Capitola, CA

Event Details

2017 Begonia Festival | Capitola

See some brilliant blooms while boating, baiting and frolicking on the beach over Labor Day weekend at the 65th annual Capitola Begonia Festival.

With over 43 acres and 3 million blooms come late summer, the Begonia Festival is a spectacular sight and a fun, family-oriented weekend filled with activities like concerts in the park, a sand sculpture contest, movies on the beach, arts and crafts, as well as a Nautical Parade with Begonia-covered barges on Sunday.

2017 Begonia Festival
Friday-Monday, September 1-4, 2017
Capitola Beach and Esplanade Park, Capitola
FREE

2017 Schedule

Friday, September 1

  • Let’s Dance Review: 5-9 pm
    Come down to Esplanade Park and enjoy dance reviews performed by local talent.

Saturday, September 2

  • Sand Sculpture Contest: 8 am to noon at Capitola Beach 
    Registration begins at 8 am on the beach. Trophy judging will be held at noon.
  • Float Construction Viewing: All day until 10 pm
    Stroll along the banks of Soquel Creek and watch as the floats begin to take shape.
  • Begonia Mural Noon: 7 pm
    Back for another year, come try your hand at attaching begonia blossoms to chicken wire – just like the float-builders do. They’ll create a wall of flowers and a perfect photo opportunity.
  • Meet the Artist: 2:30-3:30 pm
    Lori Ann Tharp – This year’s poster artist, will be signing posters during the festival at the merchandise booth.
  • Concert in the Park: 4-6 pm
    Spill the Wine performs live at the beach in Esplanade Park. Bring the family, a picnic dinner, chairs, blankets and your dancing shoes.
  • Saturday Movie Night at the Beach: Begins at dusk
    See the classic film Mary Poppins. Bring friends and family, a picnic dinner, chairs, and blankets (it does get chilly) for a free screening of this family favorite.

Sunday, September 3

  • Float Construction Viewing 
    Take another stroll along the banks of Soquel Creek in the morning, and watch as the floats get their finishing touches.
  • Horseshoes on the Sand: 8 am – Finish 
    Doubles tournament at Capitola Beach in front of Zelda’s Restaurant. Teams will be chosen by drawing names from a hat. Participants must pre-register here.
  • Chalk Art on the Seawall: 9 am-noon
    Sign up at Esplanade Park. Children pre-school age and above are welcome to create their own masterpiece atop the seawall on the Esplanade for all to enjoy. Art chalk will be provided.
  • Begonias to Go, Head to Toe: 10 am-noon
    Become a part of the festival. They’ll provide the begonias; you adorn them head to toe.
  • 65th Annual Nautical Parade: 1 pm-Finish
    Begonia covered barges float down Soquel Creek to the Lagoon. There will be great views from the Stockton Bridge, Cliff Avenue and Wharf Road.
  • Meet the Artist: 2:30-3:30 pm
  • Concert in the Park: 5-7 pm
    The Joe Sharino Band performs live at the beach in Esplanade Park. Bring the family, a picnic dinner, chairs, blankets and your dancing shoes.

Monday, September 4

  • Fishing Derby: 6:30 am-noon
    Registration begins at 6:30 am near the end of the Capitola Wharf. Bring your own fishing poles. It’s open to all ages. The final tally begins at 11 am.
  • Children’s Art Project: 11 am-2 pm
    In Esplanade Park, children of all ages are welcome to come and create a “make & take” memory of the festival.
  • Hoops for Everyone: 11 am-2 pm
    Demonstrate your talent at fun-filled hooping. Meet members of Aerial Arts Santa Cruz at the Bandstand where they will be showing their talents and teaching you a few moves, too.
  • Rowboat Races: 1 pm-Finish
    Registration will be at the pathway by the Stockton Bridge from noon to 1 pm. There will be timed heats on Soquel Creek with two people per boat; they’ll supply the boats.

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.


Cost: FREE
Categories: **Annual Event**, *Top Pick*, Eating & Drinking, Fairs & Festivals, Fun & Games, Kids & Families, Labor Day Weekend, South Bay
Address: Stockton Ave., Capitola, CA