The Daffodil Festival (Gloucester, VA)

Since 1986, Gloucester County, Virginia has had its annual Daffodil Festival. This festival is well known to people of the area and around the area. The festival takes place every year in early April to celebrate the heritage and community of the county of Gloucester, as well as the heritage of daffodils in Gloucester. (2014 Gloucester Daffodil Festival Program. (n.d.). Retrieved February 24, 2015.) Gloucester’s historic production of daffodils led it to become named the “Daffodil Capitol of America.” The Daffodil Festival offers many aspects including scholarships for local students, contests for Daffodil Queen, a parade, and other contests and events. People from anywhere can come enjoy this two-day event that takes place in Gloucester Courthouse. Approximately 8,000 people attend the festival every year. (Daffodil Festival. (n.d.). Retrieved February 25, 2015, from http://festivalnet.com/16583/Gloucester-Virginia/Festivals/Daffodil-Festival )

The Daffodil and Gloucester County

The Daffodil Festival was created because of the rich history of the daffodil in Gloucester County, Virginia. The rich history begins in 1651 when Gloucester County was formed from part of York County. The soil was perfect for daffodils and this flower began to grow around the county. Gloucester County earned the title of “Daffodil Capitol of America” in the 1930s and 1940s. The rise in popularity and ability to grow of daffodils in the county led to daffodil farms and even imported bulbs from other countries. Gloucester was even featured in the National Geographic twice with pictures of the townsfolk and daffodils. After World War II, a decline in growing occurred only to rebound in to one of the biggest frenzies of daffodil growing Gloucester had seen. This frenzy led to overproduction and the eventual decline of the daffodil production in the Daffodil Capitol of America. (Ray, 1991)

Scholarships

The Daffodil Festival offers one four year renewable scholarship worth $1000 each year. The scholarship goes out every year to a graduating senior from Gloucester High School. (Daffodil Festival Scholarships. (n.d.). Retrieved February 26, 2015, from http://daffodilfestivalva.org/scholarships/) Past winners have included Trip Vaughn, Sam Markwith, and Kasey Koulhurst.

Students selected for these scholarships sponsored by the Daffodil Festival have to meet certain requirements and credentials to win and earn the reward. The main four aspects that the selecting committee looks at are contents of the five hundred word essay, academic prowess, community involvement, and school activities and employment. Scholarship awards are announced during the opening ceremony of the festival.

Daffodil Queen

Every year, a Daffodil Queen is selected from a pool of applicants of young women from throughout the county. The winner, while not only being named the Daffodil Queen, will be a staple of the parade and also will have to fulfill different responsibilities throughout the year, such as attending county meetings and other public events. Past winners include Nicolle Conry and Christine Riddett.

Parade

The Daffodil Festival Parade is one of, if not, the biggest attractions of the whole event. Many major groups and organizations in Gloucester will partake in this event year after year and it typically has a varied turnout, ranging from kids to teenagers to whole families enjoying the spectacle. Some organizations that are annually represented are the Boy Scouts of Gloucester, The Masonic Lodge, The Gloucester High School Band, and many more.

Vendors

Entertainment and vendors can include storytellers, magicians, musicians and bands. (4) There are four different categories of vendors. These categories include Fine Arts & Photography, Original Handcrafts, Merchandiser, and Certified Vendor. The Fine Arts & Photography category includes original items and photographs created by the applicant. Original handcrafts are “items made by the applicant, which can be made from raw materials or incorporate manufactured items in the completed craft.” (7) Merchandiser includes “vendors that sell or display manufactured goods, services, or items that were made by someone other than the vendor.” (7) A certified vendor is “a vendor that has participated in the Daffodil Festival the previous year, has been judged as an acceptable vendor and has followed the rules of the Daffodil Festival. Their product must be the same as the previous year.” (7) Benefits of being a certified vendor in the Daffodil Festival include reserving a spot at the festival and also not having to send in any pictures of their product as long as no changes have been made.

People cannot only enjoy the area right around the courthouse, but can also venture out and take tours of special places in Gloucester such as Rosewell, a burnt down building that is very famous in Gloucester lore, or even Brent & Becky’s Bulbs, a local gardening and planting vendor.

Rosewell Plantation

Rosewell Plantation has been a main attraction in Gloucester since 1916, when the home burned down. Built in 1726, historians have regarded this building as one of the “largest and finest of American houses in the colonial period.” (5) This tourist spot attracts many people, not only during the Daffodil Festival, but year round. The plantation was home to the Page family, a name that can be heard around Gloucester to this day. Children’s Events Children’s events include face painting, a petting zoo, Laser Tag, checking out a sheriff’s vehicle while being taught about drunk driving and other dangers, along with many other things.

Beaverdam Park

Beaverdam Park in Gloucester, VA is a local attraction. For the Daffodil Festival some years, Beaverdam is the home to the Daffodil Festival 5k and the Daffodil Festival Rotary 2-Miler Fun Run. These events attract runners, joggers, and walkers of all ages. The 5k splits runners up by age and gender so that the numbers will come back as fair as possible. The Rotary 2-Miler Fun Run is sponsored by the local Rotary Club. Located down Roaring Springs Road by Gloucester Courthouse, Beaverdam offers the only freshwater fishing spot on the Middle Peninsula. (6) Beaverdam contains 5 major game species: Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Black Crappie, Redear Sunfish, and the Chain Pickerel.

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