Poppy Festival offers fun for everyone
By Fran Paolinelli
LANCASTER – Once again Lancaster City Park was filled with food, vendors and visitors. Saturday was the opening day of the annual California Poppy Festival and there was plenty to do and things to enjoy.
The farmer’s market including all kinds of delicacies, including a booth featuring Garlic Festival Foods like garlic Chipolte lime barbeque sauce. Other vendors were peddling everything from Welch Cakes to new cars and motorcycles. Children were thrilled by a visit to the Adventure Zone with wild animals, fun and games.
There was something for everyone whether first time visitor or those who regularly attend.
“We only been here a little while today, but we come every year,” said Lori Hanson, who with her husband John and daughter Amanda were watching an ostrich admire their shiny jewelry.
“We love it,” Lori Hanson said.
First time visitor Reneisha Hayes enjoyed a delicious strawberry and banana drink served inside a carved out pineapple.
“I love the festival and the pineapple drink,” Hayes said.
Outside the Adventurer Zone, there was a demonstration of Japanese Jujutsu by young men dressed in black robes. Nearby dancers performed on the International Stage. Even the local law enforcement and fire department personnel were on hand to show off their equipment and share information about programs such as Weed & Seed and Neighborhood Watch.
Even at 2:30 in the afternoon crowds continued to flow into the park to enjoy the festival, which continues on Sunday.
For more information on the Poppy Festival and event and activities planned for Sunday, visit http://www.poppyfestival.com
City cleans illegal dumpsites at Poppy Reserve
By Fran Paolinelli
LANCASTER – After being notified that someone had dumped several large piles of trash at the Poppy Reserve, the city of Lancaster sent cleanup crews to the area Thursday morning.
“A city crew is on the way out there now,” said Joe Cabral, public relations officer for the city.
The dumpsite was discovered by Janis Maguire. She contacted AV News about the truckloads of rubbish that was dumped next to a dirt road used by many who visit the poppy reserve during the annual Poppy Festival, which occurs this weekend.
Maguire said she spoke to the local sheriff’s station and different city agencies before being directed to the illegal dumping hotline. When she contacted the hotline, she was given a case number but the man she spoke to said it would take several weeks to work through channels before the site could be cleaned.
However, as soon as city officials learned of the situation, they had the area cleaned. By Thursday afternoon the only evidence of the sites ever existed were areas of bare ground where trash had been scooped up and large tire tracks leading away from the former dumpsite.
Visitor appalled at trash dumpsites at Poppy Reserve
By Fran Paolinelli
LANCASTER – With the annual Poppy Festival only days away, one early visitor received quite a shock while visiting the Poppy Reserve, a popular stop for those attending the festival.
According to Jan Maguire, several truckloads of rubbish were dumped in an area of the reserve. The normally picturesque view of a beautiful sea of orange flowers waving in the breeze is now overshadowed by piles of filthy trash.
“Last Monday, April 11, I came across several truckloads of new rubbish dumped in an area I had just visited only the Monday before. Piles and piles of new rubbish dumped on our beautiful California State Poppy. Plastic bags were loose and blowing all over the surrounding hills,” Maguire said.
“With the Lancaster Poppy Festival just three days away, I would think the city and the county would be at minimum embarrassed,” Maguire added.
The area of illegal dumping is about a quarter of a mile alongside a dirt road accessed from 170th St. West, between Avenue D and Lancaster Road. The closest intersection is Avenue D and 170th Street West, according to Maguire.
“There had been a large abandoned trailer right at the intersection of that dirt road and West 170th St., which was actually being cleaned up on Monday, April 11 when I arrived in the area. Later in the day, I took the dirt road, after the crew finished the trailer cleanup, and came upon the new dump perhaps 1/4 mile heading east on the dirt road,” she said.
Maguire said she reported what she described as a “despicable site” to the illegal dumping hotline, after speaking to the local sheriff’s station and different city agencies. She said she was given a case number but the man she spoke to said it would take several weeks to work through channels.
“By that time, the plastic bags will be spread over miles of pristine area! Please, surely something must be done to raise public awareness of such unacceptable behavior, to get this tragedy cleaned up, and ensure that citizens respect the gift of a beautiful environment,” Maguire told the AV News.
Want to know more about the City of Lancaster's plans for the festival? Click here.
Poppy Festival To Feature Classic Cars, Classic Rock and Animal Antics
By Fran Paolinelli
LANCASTER – The annual Poppy Festival attracts more than 45,000 visitors each year and this year should be no different.
On April 16 – 17, the 20th Annual Poppy Festival will offer all types of fun for families. From live music, dancing and a car show for adults to a huge petting zoo for the kids, the festival signals the return of spring to Antelope Valley, said Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris.
“Bring the entire family and enjoy the fresh air, festivities and beautiful poppies,” Parris said.
Covering 35 acres, the festival will offer more than 400 vendors and entertainment groups for visitors.
Activities include a farmer’s market, bird shows, aviation exhibits, make-and-take crafts and a “Taste of Lancaster” featuring foods from 15 local restaurants.
Seatings for the “Taste of Lancaster” will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. both days. Cost is $5 for three tickets. Wine tasting is an additional $2 and tastings are limited to a maximum of two samples.
Entertainment this year includes Elton, the Early Years - a tribute band to Elton John’s earlier performances, Hotel California – a tribute band to the Eagles, and Phat Cat Swinger – a nine-piece band featuring dance swing music.
Visitors may also enjoy a trip to the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve - a 15-mile drive from the festival.
The festival opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 6 p.m. both days and is located at Lancaster City Park, 43011 10th St. West. Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for children (ages 6-12) and seniors (ages 62+). Kids under 6 are free.
By Fran Paolinelli
LANCASTER – The annual Poppy Festival attracts more than 45,000 visitors each year and this year should be no different.
On April 16 – 17, the 20th Annual Poppy Festival will offer all types of fun for families. From live music, dancing and a car show for adults to a huge petting zoo for the kids, the festival signals the return of spring to Antelope Valley, said Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris.
“Bring the entire family and enjoy the fresh air, festivities and beautiful poppies,” Parris said.
Covering 35 acres, the festival will offer more than 400 vendors and entertainment groups for visitors.
Activities include a farmer’s market, bird shows, aviation exhibits, make-and-take crafts and a “Taste of Lancaster” featuring foods from 15 local restaurants.
Seatings for the “Taste of Lancaster” will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. both days. Cost is $5 for three tickets. Wine tasting is an additional $2 and tastings are limited to a maximum of two samples.
Entertainment this year includes Elton, the Early Years - a tribute band to Elton John’s earlier performances, Hotel California – a tribute band to the Eagles, and Phat Cat Swinger – a nine-piece band featuring dance swing music.
Visitors may also enjoy a trip to the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve - a 15-mile drive from the festival.
The festival opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 6 p.m. both days and is located at Lancaster City Park, 43011 10th St. West. Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for children (ages 6-12) and seniors (ages 62+). Kids under 6 are free.
20th Annual California Poppy Festival
