28th Annual Gloucester Daffodil Festival 2014

We went to the 28th Annual Gloucester Daffodil Festival this weekend in Gloucester, Virginia. The last time I visited the festival was in 2010 and it certainly has grown a lot since then.

(all photos taken with my cell phone and edited in google+)

Winning Daffodil Festival poster by Carol Aldridge

According to the Gloucester, Virginia wiki page:

The history of the daffodil in Gloucester County is nearly as old as the county. When Gloucester was formed in 1651 from part of York County, early settlers brought daffodils from England. Settlers soon discovered the soil and weather conditions were good for them. The bulbs were passed from neighbor to neighbor, naturalizing by the beginning of the 20th century. The daffodil industry (which earned the county the title "Daffodil Capital of America") developed during the 1930s and 1940s. ^[8] 

We got there when it started Saturday morning and found a nice spot to watch the parade, and I must say, it was pretty good, especially thanks to the Tidewater Shrine Club. Wow, do they know how to put on a show. Check out this video of the shriners doing their thing:

If you can't watch the video, a group of Shriners are driving mini racecars down the parade route, all the while doing a fast and tight formation of circles and figure eights. It was pretty exciting to see and a great kick off to the festival.

Here are just a few highlights of the parade:

You have got to love Shriners on tricycles. 

Beyond Boobs Breast Cancer Organization with the Good Health Fairy®

This pup is for adoption at the Gloucester  Mathews Humane Society.

After the parade, we walked down to the main festival area, and it was packed! I couldn't believe how many people were here this year compared to my last visit a few years ago.  Plus,  we really lucked out with beautiful weather. 

I have to give a shout out to this tent for the Bread For Life Food Pantry, where my parents volunteer a LOT of their time every week, and they love it. The Pantry is located at The Church of St. Therese  but it is run with the help of volunteers from 10 local churches. 

The Virginia is for Lovers sign was making an appearance in front of the Gloucester Museum of History, and I really wanted my picture with it, but every time we passed by there was a long line.  So, I had to make do with a shot from afar. I did get the Beyond Boobs fairy in the picture, though.

I loved the flower arrangement at this business's entry.

I want one of these!

And of course, the star of the festival, the daffodils. 

If you ever drive through the county of Gloucester, Virginia starting in March every year, you will see daffodils popping up not only in the median of US route 17, but in front of homes, businesses, and hidden in nooks and crannies in the woods. It's such a beautiful welcoming of Spring.

Thank you for visiting.