The Poppy Festival, Antelope Valley CA (2013)

With the California Poppy Festival is just around the corner (April 17-18th 2015) I figured, "why not share some memories?" 

The California Poppy Festival is an annual event held in Antelope Valley, CA recognizing the California state flower. The event itself has many different forms of entertainment from exotic animal exhibitions to acrobatics and cultural martial arts, dancing and music, to a farmers market, arts & crafts and tons of vendors selling handmade merchandise. And then of course, there's my favorite part (and the main reason I usually attend) the food.

Traditional Bratwusrt with sauerkraut, grilled peppers &onions and spicy mustard.

You can't deny the sweet, sweet call of glorious festival food. With the wonderful aromas from different food stands filling the air in every direction, its impossible to avoid and impossible to know where to start.

There are many various styles and cuisines available at the festival. Of course eating the food is the easy part-- but with great food comes even greater lines to wait in in order to get those tasty smelling delicacies. Is it worth it? Definitely.

Fresh grilled lamb Gyros.

One thing I always make a b-line for at events like this is the traditional Bratwurst. The last year I attended (when these photos were taken - 2013) I did just that, but I've gotta say, the gyros were to die for. Probably some of the best I've had in a long time and cooked/seasoned to perfection (sorry, brats).

There was also an adorable little troupe of young, acrobatic circus performers who put on a fantastic Cirque du Soleil-esque show. So many multi-talented kids in the Cirque le Petit. They were incredibly impressive!

So if you're in the area or just go for the food, same as me, the Poppy Festival is always a fun, entertaining Spring event for all ages.

Cheers!

-Danno

(Photos are from my food blog on tumblr).