Begonia Fest to Float through Capitola All Weekend

The 59th Annual Capitola Begonia Festival is taking place over Labor Day weekend, and there's an array of events packed into the four-day affair ranging from horseshoes to a fishing derby.

The festival kicks off Friday with dance performances and continues through Monday afternoon with a rowboat race, with the highlight of the event being the nautical parade of begonia-decorated floats Sunday afternoon.

The festival makes use of the Pacific begonia flower, hybridized by the Brown family who settled in Capitola in the 1930s. The Pacific begonia is a cross-breed of begonia bulbs imported from Germany and Belgium, and by the '70s was responsible for 90 percent of the world's begonias—coming right out the the Brown Bulb Ranch in Capitola.

Resident Peggy Mathews gave the festival its start in the early 1950s after approaching the Brown family with a request to use the flowers. The Brown family agreed, and Mathews used the flowers to decorate some paddle boards that year, with the first Begonia Festival taking place shortly after, in 1952.

The festival is an anticipated event by many and includes daily activities to be enjoyed with family and friends. Here's a list of events taking place to help you develop your pre-festival itineraries.

Friday, Sept. 2:

• Let's Dance! Review, featuring local performers dancing their hearts out in Capitola Village from 4:45-9 p.m. Six dance groups will perform with Bailamos Salsa Rueda to start off the evening.  

Saturday, Sept. 3:

• Float construction viewing along Soquel Creek, taking place all day until 10 p.m.

• Sand sculpture contest, 8 a.m. to noon on the beach in Capitola. Those wishing to participate mush register for the contest by 8 a.m. on Saturday.

• Budding Artists event, 9 a.m to noon on the Esplanade, featuring local students creating artwork near the beach.

• Concert in Esplanade Park from 4-6 p.m. The band, Extra Large, will perform live on the beach in Esplanade Park, and you don't want to miss this local favorite's funk-inspired sound. Show up early to ensure a spot on the grass and on the dance floor, as the area will likely be packed with fans.

• Meet the Artist event from 4-7 p.m. at Pacific Gallery Framing in Capitola Village. Attendees will have a chance to chat and browse fine art while sipping on light refreshments. 321 Capitola Ave., 831-476-3588.

• Movie night on the beach, beginning at dusk. Although the name of the movie couldn't be released, festival planners said it involves dancing and features actor John Travolta. Saturday Night Fever? Grease? We'll see. Make sure to arrive prepared with snacks and blankets to keep you full and warm during the chilly Capitola night.

Sunday, Sept. 4:

• Horseshoes on the Sand at 8 a.m., taking place on Capitola Beach at the area in front of the Venetian Hotel. Teams will be drawn from a hat, and participants must pre-register by filling out this online form. Those interested can call 831-475-6522 for more information.

• Another round of float construction viewing will take place all day along Soquel Creek, but this time attendees can stroll along the creek to view participants as they apply last touches to their floats before they're launched into the murky water at 1 p.m.

• Chalk Art on the Seawall, 9 a.m. to noon. Children of all ages are welcome to grab their chalk and create artwork on top of the seawall in Esplanade Park. Chalk is provided to all participants, who must sign in beforehand.

• Begonias to Go, Head to Toe, taking place in Esplanade Park from 10 a.m. to noon. Attendees can bring a hat to the festival and design it with begonias provided at the event.

• Nautical parade from 1-3 p.m. This is the chance for float creators to show off their begonia-decorated projects as they drive their floats down Soquel Creek to the lagoon. Great views are available from Stockton Bride, Cliff Avenue and Wharf Road.

• There will be a second concert in the park featuring Mike Hadley and the Groove from 4-6 p.m. in Esplanade Park.

Monday, Sept. 5:

• Fishing derby on the Capitola Wharf from 6 a.m. to noon. The event is open to all ages. Registration begins at 6 a.m. at the end of the Wharf.

• Children's art event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event offers an opportunity for children to create artwork in Esplanade Park.

• Rowboat races in Soquel Creek at 1 p.m. Boats are supplied, and registration is open at the pathway by the Stockton Bridge from noon to 1 p.m.

A free shuttle service will be offered from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Attendees can park at the Crossroads Center parking lot on Bay Avenue and catch the shuttle from there into the Village. Two-hour parking is also available for $1.50 per hour.

For more information, visit the Begonia Festival website, and stay tuned to Capitola-Soquel Patch for plenty of coverage of the four-day event.