About the festival
This spring the city of Georgetown will host the 17th annual Red Poppy Festival throughout the Square on April 22-24. The event celebrates the wildflowers that have grown in Georgetown for nearly 100 years.
This year the festival will also host the second annual Red Poppy Taste Awards. The cooking competition tasks participants with creating recipes that incorporate poppies in some way such as poppy seeds, flowers or poppy inspiration. A complete schedule of events and information about the festival is available online at www.redpoppyfest.com.
The city selected artist Lucas Adams’ artwork for the 2016 Red Poppy Festival, and an outdoor installation of thousands of red ceramic poppies by artist Jen Rose will be featured on the north lawn of the Williamson County Courthouse until May 5.
Attendees of the festival are encouraged to share their experience on social media by using #redpoppy2016.
Parking is available throughout downtown, however, on Saturday city staffers recommend visitors park at the First Baptist Church, 1333 W. University Ave., and use the shuttle service. The shuttle will run from 9 a.m. until after the street dance. Free parking locations include the Williamson County parking garage at Fourth and Rock streets as well as the parking lots at Austin Avenue and Fifth Street and Sixth and Rock streets. Handicap accessible parking will be available at 10th and Main streets.
Red Poppy Bike Ride
The 12th annual bike race will be held April 23. The 14-, 27-, 40-, 50-, 63- or 100-mile routes begin and end at the Georgetown High School Annex. Funds raised benefit the Sertoma scholarship program for Georgetown ISD, the Williamson County Children’s Advocacy Center and Georgetown Police Department’s bicycle patrol unit. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. $45 (individual registration), $90 (family registration), an active military discount is available. Georgetown High School Annex, 2211 N. Austin Ave. 512-863-3008. www.redpoppyride.org
3V3 Basketball Tournament
Celebration Church hosts the fifth annual Red Poppy Festival 3v3 Basketball Tournament. The games begin April 23 with finals held April 24. All proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Georgetown. Team brackets vary by age. Times vary. $60 (team of three), $20 (additional player). The Hoop Zone, Eighth Street between Austin Avenue and Main Street. http://celebrationchurchtx.com/redpoppy3v3
Red Poppy 5K
The Georgetown Running Club hosts the 5K fun run on April 23. Proceeds benefit the Williamson County Children’s Advocacy Center. A children’s fun run follows the race at approximately 10:15 a.m. 7:30 a.m. (registration), 9 a.m. (5K begins). $30 (5K after April 11), $35 (5K race day), $5 discount offered to running club members, free (children’s fun run, $5 donations encouraged). Georgetown High School, 2211 N. Austin Ave. 512-724-3774. www.georgetownrunningclub.org
Festival Schedule of Events
APRIL 22
6 p.m. Festival opens with arts and crafts booths and food court 7 p.m. Dysfunkshun Junkshun performs 9 p.m. Festival closes
APRIL 23
10 a.m. Festival opens with arts and crafts booths, food court and children’s area 10 a.m. “Paint the Georgetown Red” Parade beings 11 a.m. Car show opens 3 p.m. Car show closes and awards are given 6 p.m. Street dance begins with Denny Herrin performance 7 p.m. Children’s area closes 7:20 p.m. Red Poppy Taste Awards presentation 7:30 p.m. Kimberly Dunn performs 9:30 p.m. Tracy Lawrence performs
APRIL 24
11 a.m. Festival opens with arts and crafts booths, food court and children’s area 12:30 p.m. BMX Pros Trick Team 2 p.m. Kiwanis’ One in the Hole ball drop 2:30 p.m. BMX Pros Trick Team 4:30 p.m. BMX Pros Trick Team 5 p.m. Festival closes
