Boysenberry Festival Returns!

Last week kicked off Knott’s Berry Farm‘s Boysenberry Festival! And Sunday Patrick and I were there to enjoy the sights, sounds, and tastes! This year, the festival lasts four weeks, up from three last year, giving locals and tourists alike more time to visit and eat to their heart’s content!

Entrance to Knott's Berry Farm, which looks like old Spanish Colonial arches, and features a large sign reading "Knott's Berry Farm" and a banner reading "Knott's Boysenberry Festival Food Fest + Live Shows"

In case you didn’t know, Knott’s Berry Farm is the home of the boysenberry, and each year Knott’s celebrates its famed berry by offering all manner of boysenberry flavored concoctions, along with fun and games for the whole family, as well as live entertainment, and a craft fair! The event also gives me the perfect excuse to wear all things purple!

Myself, standing next to a giant box of (fake) boysenberries, wearing a large straw hat and white dress with a yellow and purple floral and straw hat print.

Myself, standing next to a giant box of (fake) boysenberries, wearing a large straw hat and white dress with a yellow and purple floral and straw hat print.

Giant boysenberries climb the balcony of the Gold Trails Hotel.

Myself, standing next to a giant box of (fake) boysenberries, wearing a large straw hat and white dress with a yellow and purple floral and straw hat print.

Map of Knott's Berry Farm, showcasing where all of the unique food offerings are, plus the live entertainment.

Myself, standing next to a giant box of (fake) boysenberries, wearing a large straw hat and white dress with a yellow and purple floral and straw hat print.

What brings most people to Knott’s during this time is the food, and the best way to enjoy a good portion of the food is through the tasting card, which allows Guests to try eight out of fourteen available options. The flexibility allows Guests to pass on items that may not interest them, and maybe double or triple up on items that are their favorites. But if more than eight of the options appeal to those with a hunger for boysenberry, Guests are welcome to either purchase another tasting card, or purchase the items individually.

The Boysenberry Festival tasting card, showcasing the list of items, and eight small tabs to pull off to try the various items.

Boysenberry elote, which features boysenberry mayo (that is purple) and parmesan cheese, some of which has been dyed purple.

I really enjoyed the boysenberry elote, pictured above, as well as the boysenberry chili, served in a boysenberry sourdough bread bowl, the boysenberry pot roast, served with boysenberry mashed potatoes, the boysenberry habenero baked mac and cheese, and the boysenberry jambalaya. The tasting card itself is enough for more than one person to snack throughout the day, and costs $35.00.

In addition to the items on the tasting card, there are many more boysenberry infused items scattered throughout the park, including this perfectly delightful key lime boysenberry tart!

A small lime boysenberry tart.

There are still the old favorites such as the “Fun Stick” which is a slice of boysenberry cheesecake deep fried, and slathered in boysenberry cream cheese frosting. All special offerings are noted within the event guide.

A banner stretched across the streets of Ghost Town reads "Welcome to the Boysenberry Festival"

As mentioned, the Boysenberry Festival also features a craft fair, where creative souls can sell their wares, which includes everything from handmade soaps to artwork, and much more. One of my favorite spots is Miss Doolittle’s, who is famous for her hand crocheted boysenberry pie hats!

Miss Doolittle's adorable pie hats.

She also sells adorable bows so I picked up a set from her! Miss Doolittle can also be found on Etsy!

Myself, standing next to a floral arrangement next to the Town Hall in Ghost Town, wearing a large straw hat and white dress with a yellow and purple floral and straw hat print.

Myself, standing next to a floral arrangement in Ghost Town, wearing a large straw hat and white dress with a yellow and purple floral and straw hat print.

For Guests over 21, there is even wine tasting, which includes a boysenberry wine. The tasting is offered in the same area as the Tied Up In Knott’s art show, featuring works of art inspired by Knott’s Berry Farm icons and attractions.

The art show, titled "Tied Up In Knott's" features images of various Knott's Berry Farm icons and attractions.

Within the art show we ran into Eric Lynxwiler, who co-authored Knott’s Preserved, an outstanding book about the history of Knott’s Berry Farm. He was showing off his utterly amazing shirt featuring a print of a vintage Knott’s Berry Farm map. You can check out my review of Knott’s Preserved here, and purchase his book from the publisher here, on Amazon here or next time you visit the Farm!

Eric, the author of Knott's Preserved, shows off his shirt featuring a map of Knott's from the 1970s.

In addition to all of the tasty treats, there is a plethora of live entertainment! From the family friendly Snoopy inspired shows, to an old-time style melodrama with a boysenberry twist, games (including a boysenberry pie eating contest) and my personal favorite, Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies.

A scene from the melodrama, in which the villain steals a pie from the barmaid, sweet daughter of a baker, and a ranger.

The Deputy Mayor of Calico gets the crowd excited for the boysenberry pie eating contest!

Within the walls of Town Hall in Ghost Town Guests can find one of my favorite gems during the Boysenberry Festival, which is a short film of the history of Knott’s Berry Farm, as well as a vintage documentary about Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant. Boysenberry Festival not only celebrates the berry that make the Knott family famous, but it also celebrates the park and the family, reminding us all that this amusement park has the humblest of beginnings.

Myself, standing next to a floral arrangement in Ghost Town, wearing a large straw hat and white dress with a yellow and purple floral and straw hat print.

Myself, standing next to a floral arrangement in Ghost Town, wearing a large straw hat and white dress with a yellow and purple floral and straw hat print.

Close up of my necklace, a small shield pendant featuring a boysenberry reading "Knott's Berry Farm Buena Park, Calif."

Close up of the hem of my skirt which features a straw hat and purple and yellow flowers. My shoes are also yellow.

A tall old fashioned windmill features giant cascading berry vines.

Myself, standing next to a floral arrangement in Ghost Town, wearing a large straw hat and white dress with a yellow and purple floral and straw hat print.

Myself, standing next to a floral arrangement in Ghost Town, wearing a large straw hat and white dress with a yellow and purple floral and straw hat print.

The top of the Calico Hotel, which features purple bunting.

Myself, standing next to a floral arrangement in Ghost Town, wearing a large straw hat and white dress with a yellow and purple floral and straw hat print.

Close up of the pocket detail on my dress which features a straw hat and purple and yellow flowers.

Myself, standing next to a floral arrangement next to the Town Hall in Ghost Town, wearing a large straw hat and white dress with a yellow and purple floral and straw hat print.

Whether you’re a local, or planning your spring break trip to California, there has never been a better time to visit Knott’s Berry Farm! Boysenberry Festival runs now through April 28! You can learn more about the festival, and Knott’s Berry Farm in general (including purchasing tickets) on their website. And if you would like some of my tips for visiting Knott’s you can check out my guide here.

Stay tuned for another berry-tastic outfit! As yesterday was National Boysenberry Day!

Disclaimer: I received a Media invitation to Knott’s Boysenberry Festival and this post contains affiliate links.

Outfit
Hat: Cost Plus World Market
Necklace: Gift from Sam & Jeremy of Match Accessories
Dress: Memo Vintage, Fullerton, California
Bracelets: Here and there
Purse: Found by my dad
Shoes: TJ Maxx

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