While it is hard to choose with all the incredible events and festivals held here on Nantucket; Daffodil Festival is easily my favorite weekend of the year. The festival is held by the Chamber of Commerce and has grown significantly in the last few decades adding lectures, contests, exhibitions, and shows. While the growth and expansion of the weekend is exciting, it is the simplicity of how the festival began 30 plus years ago with an antique car parade and tailgating in ‘Sconset that I love the most. While we all anxiously await that first blooming daffodil, here are Fisher’s tips to help make the most of your Spring weekend in Nantucket!
Grab Tickets to the 2nd Annual Flower Power Party
After its first year of smashing success, The Flower Power Party is truly the ultimate way to “kick-off” Daffodil Festival! So, get your best blossoming garb together and hit the dance floor with N Magazine & the Nantucket Historical Association! This epic intro to a weekend of fun features heavy hors d’oeuvres from our favorite staff at Island Kitchen, festive and floral libations, a photo booth, and even a prize for the best “blooming outfit”! It is in your best interest to buy tickets before the price increases on April 1st – So head over the nha.org and grab yours before they sell out!
*The Flower Power Party is being held at The Whaling Museum on Friday, April 26, 2019 from 6pm-8:30pm
Do Your Best to Hit Both Town & ‘Sconset!
As you might know already, the real meat and potatoes of Daffodil Festival is of course where it all started – The Antique Car Parade and Tailgate! The beautiful vintage cars begin their day lined up downtown adorned with flowery Spring décor before they take off for ‘Sconset. Start your day early in town to grab a cup of coffee and get a closer look at these stunning automobiles and get your vote in for “People’s Choice” (ballots available at 0 Main Street in front of The Chamber of Commerce office). If you make it downtown, you can also join or simply enjoy additional events like the Children’s Parade, Dog Parade, and Hat Contest. The parade starts moving to ‘Sconset at 12pm and you should too!
*Insider Tip: If you get downtown in the morning, park your car somewhere easy to leave town (think Washington Street or the Town Lot) and once the cars begin their trek up Main Street, grab your car and drive off to ‘Sconset to snag a spot along Milestone Road*
Excited parade goers line Milestone leading to the soon to be temporary homes of the parade participants on Main Street in ‘Sconset. This is where the real fun happens as the normally quiet village is bustling and full of a cheerful energy you must experience to understand. Daffodil Festival lovers rejoice, cheers-ing neighbors, friends, and strangers over shared picnic eats and the joy that Spring on Nantucket has truly arrived!
Pick-up Wicked Island Bakery “Daffy Lunch Boxes” or the ultimate pre-made spread from Bartlett’s!
Maybe you like spending hours in the kitchen making a wonderful picnic basket feast or perhaps you’d rather hit the “easy button” and still enjoy tasty treats as you watch the cars drift by you in ‘Sconset! One of my favorite Daffy Weekend time savers is the Wicked Island Bakery lunch boxes. These perfectly packaged meals typically feature a choice of three scrumptious sandwich specials, a delectable Daffy themed sugar cookie, and a chilled beverage. I’ve personally enjoyed this with family and we found it to be the perfect amount of food before heading into the thick of the picnic and tailgating scene. Keep an eye on their website for more details so you know what sandwich to get and when to get your order in by! If you are looking for a larger and more elaborate spread a-la “do it yourself” but don’t have time to do it…have no fear, our friends at Bartlett’s Farm have you covered with plenty or premade sandwiches, salads, meats, veggies, dips, cheeses, and more.
Burn those tailgating calories off by registering for the Daffodil 5K!
Whether you want to run off picnic treats from the day before or just love a good race, make sure to register for the super scenic 9th Annual Daffodil 5K! The race begins and ends at Codfish Park under the pedestrian bridge in the historic village where the cars will have lined up just the day before. The course is one of my favorites to run as it winds through the quaint ‘Sconset Village, along Baxter Road and the Bluff and finishes with an unbeatable sweeping view of the Atlantic Ocean followed by a quick and painless downhill finish. The race features a cash prize and is of course chip-timed and USATF 5k certified. Register before April 6th to guarantee yourself an extra special piece of Daffy swag – your race t-shirt!
Buy yourself some fresh prints at “Small Works Big Cause”!
Daffodil Festival also signals the start of a Fisher favorite even with a great cause – the Small Works, Big Cause show! The event opens with a gallery reception on Friday, April 26th at one of our favorite spots for a morning or mid afternoon pick-me-up; the Handlebar Café, where all are welcome! The unframed small prints feature the work of Nantucket Photographers Alliance members and are all $40 and cash only. Proceed from sales will go to a local non-profit. And while the event officially starts Daffodil Weekend, it continues for a couple weeks so you will have plenty of opportunity. We even have a few favorites from this event displayed on our walls at 21 Main Street!
So, let the countdown begin to a Fisher Favorite as far as festivals go! These are just a few things to look forward to; the list truly goes on and on. Shops and restaurants typically use this weekend to kick-off their own seasons, swinging their doors open to hungry (for food, clothes, and gifts!) Nantucketer’s and visitors alike! Word on Main Street is that Or, The Whale & Gemelle are hoping to introduce their new spots around this weekend as well and the Fisher Team simply can’t wait to test out their menus.
Lastly, as always, be sure to let us know if you need help locking down a place to stay for this long-awaited celebration. If you are lucky enough to be here for the 45th Annual Daffodil Festival, be sure to stop by and say “hi” to the Fisher Team at 21 Main Street!