The Blossom Festival—June 13—Offers a Full Day of FamilyFun and Celebration
Live music, artists, book authors, craftspeople, antique cars, food trucks, and more are all part of the free event's offering. The Blossom Festival takes place at the Heritage Orchard and Civic Center (13777 Fruitvale Avenue) on June 13 and will run from 10-4 PM.
The Blossom Festival originated as a celebration of Saratoga’s agricultural and community-focused life in 1900 and ran for 40 years. We brought the celebration back in 2013 to celebrate the event in the Heritage Orchard and Civic Center to remember the beauty of the orchards and the importance of our roots.
Nonstop Music Appealing to All Ages and New
Live music will be in two areas from 10-4 PM. Blue Grass music, mild rock and roll and rollicking jazz will be features. The orchard will include a variety of music including the Peninsula banjo band.
See, Taste and Learn About Saratoga
There are so many activities and opportunities for people to see and learn about Saratoga’s history, meet community groups, and even taste!,” said Stransky. “Got a question about drought tolerant plants—see the Master Gardeners booth or the OrchardKeepers. Looking for a gift?—see the many craftspeople. Or, want to learn the history of the Heritage Orchard—Prunes are being handed out in memory of when the Santa Clara Valley was the world’s largest provider of prunes and known as the Valley of Hearts Delight.
Many Children’s Activities
There will be many activities for young children including a petting zoo of baby animals, origami, and paper crafts.
Many Craftspeople and Organizations
Many organizations will have informative displays including the Santa Clara Valley Beekeeper Guild, Master Gardeners, Wild Life Center of Silicon Valley, Midpeninsula Regional Open Space, Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society, California Native Plant Society, Hakone Gardens, and Youth Science Institute.
Over thirty craftspeople will be selling handmade wares of jewelry, olive oil, scarves, old fashioned aprons, scented soap, plants, baskets, decorative gourds and many other lovely items.
In the Library
Marilyn Messina describes 20th century life on her family’s orchards in the in the “Valley of Heart’s Delight,” Santa Clara Valley, CA. Viewers follow five stages in fruit trees’ yearly cycle—from dormancy through harvest. Each stage relates to her family’s growth, from her grandfather’s arrival from Sicily in 1905 to their cultivation of four hundred acres in the 1960s. The film will be shown at 1 o'clock.
Photos, Local History Books and More
The Saratoga Historical Foundation will have a wide selection of local history books to purchase including books on the Saratoga volunteer fire department, Abolitionist John Brown’s wife Mary, Saratoga, the local Mineral Springs and more. Aerial views of Saratoga and displays on the Blossom Festival,
Vintage Vehicles
The Santa Clara Valley Model T Ford, the Santa Clara Model A Ford, and the Early Day Gas Engine and Tractor Association will be showing a variety of cars and motors. The Saratoga vintage fire truck will also be in attendance.
Historical Characters
Saratoga has always been a city with talented artists, writers, community leaders, and more. Costumed historical characters representing those areas will be on hand to tell you their story. Got a question for Senator Phelan (hint his home is the beautiful Villa Montalvo) or Isabel Stine who built Hakone Gardens? Or maybe Charles Blaney, our first highway commissioner and who is responsible for the Memorial Arch. Bring a camera and have your picture taken or come with a question or two and test their mettle!
Gourmet Food Trucks
A wide selection of gourmet food trucks will be on hand to satisfy the most picky food lover. Mexican, Smokey barbecue, Boba and lemonade, and Nepali Indian Himalayan food.
