Poppy Festival

The Red Poppy Festival marks the coming of spring and the arrival of Georgetown’s colorful springtime visitor, the Red Poppy Flower. These beautiful flowers have been a part of Georgetown’s heritage and landscape for more than 70 years, a fact certified by the Texas legislature naming Georgetown as the Red Poppy Capital of Texas.

The festival bursts into bloom April 24-26 for a weekend of music, dancing, arts and crafts, children’s activities, and more, all marking the 10th anniversary of the festival.

The Friday Kickoff Concert and Street Dance features Flyjack. The music begins at 6:30 with Fools Can Be Kings. On Saturday, the Red Poppy Ride begins at 8 a.m. at the Georgetown High School. Bicycle riders can choose among looped routes of 12 miles, 30 miles, 45 miles or 62 miles (100K) that follow rural roads northeast of Georgetown. A shuttle will take riders from the finish line to the downtown site of the festival. The “Paint the Georgetown Red” Parade begins at 10 a.m. The arts and crafts booths and other events, including a Hot Rods and Corvettes display, will be open until dark when the festivities continue with the Saturday Night Concert and Street Dance featuring The Bellamy Brothers.

More than 100 booths will feature art and high-quality handcrafts, and a number of food vendors and local restaurants will be eager to serve festival goers.

On Sunday, events begin at 11 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. There is the Red Poppy Market Place featuring artisans from across the nation, the Open Car Show, the Safe Place Kids Village, the Red Poppy Parade, and for the first time – the Red Poppy Art Tent.

Partial proceeds from the festival go to A Safe Place. When the youth of Georgetown need a caring adult to help them out of a sticky situation, they don’t have far to look for a safe place – the nearest utility truck may be just around the corner. The local utility workers know how to help, thanks to A Safe Place Community Campaign.