Georgetown, Texas, Will Host 25th Annual Red Poppy Festival This April
Though the festival only started a quarter century ago, red poppies have been part of Georgetown for more than 100 years.
City of Georgetown
Georgetown, Texas—aka the Red Poppy Capital of Texas—will hold its 25th annual Red Poppy Festival at the end of April.
City of Georgetown
The free festival takes place April 26-28 in Georgetown's picturesque town square and features live music, parades, and a car show. Kid-friendly activities include the fun zone, touch-a-truck, and pet parade. Country music artist Easton Corbin headlines the entertainment the night of Saturday, April 27. Austin funk band Dysfunkshyn Junkshun will get the party started on Friday.
City of Georgetown
Georgetown is a quick drive from Austin, though this growing city is worth a stay in itself. While you're there, wander town and you'll find patches of red poppies to admire—the festival's whole reason for being. Though the festival started 25 years ago, red poppies have been part of the landscape for more than 100 years.
City of Georgetown
The story goes that a World War I soldier collected the seeds in Europe and sent them to his mother in Georgetown, who planted the flowers. Her original poppy garden reseeded and spread down the river and over much of Old Town. The red poppy became a symbol of bloodshed and sacrifice during that time, and is still worn today to memorialize fallen soldiers.
The city has provided a red poppy map to make discovering them easier (and so you can be sure to get that selfie). If you'd like to grow your own patch of poppies, pick up a packet of seeds at the Visitors Center.
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