Nantucket Official Guide 2014-2015 | Page 49

40th Daffodil Festival Weekend, April 25 - 27, 2014 April’s gentle sea breezes and warming sunshine coax new growth from the island’s sandy soil, adorning roadsides and gardens with an astonishing array of daffodils in shades of yellow, orange, white and pale pink. Revel in this exuberant celebration of spring by donning your daffodil-themed hat, watching the Antique Car Parade, and indulging in a tasty Tailgate Picnic. On this festive April weekend, remember that it’s “OK to be Daffy!” Now in its 40th year, Daffodil Festival Weekend on Nantucket is a jubilant celebration of spring’s arrival, punctuated by the blooming of over three million daffodils of various hues, shapes and sizes which grace roadsides, gardens and shop windows. The central event of this delightful weekend is the Antique Car Parade, showcasing over 100 vintage cars bedecked with sunny yellow daffodils and other creative embellishments. Vehicles are staged on Main Street for the public to admire, and all are encouraged to vote for their favorite in the categories of Most Authentic, Best in Show, and the coveted People’s Choice award. At noon, the cars wind through town and onward to the charming village of Siasconset, where participants join residents and visitors for the Annual Daffodil Tailgate Picnic. Held on the lush lawns leading to the village, fare ranges from elaborate gourmet cuisine served on fine china to simple box lunches and burgers. The day’s festivities are rounded out by a family picnic and concert at Children’s Beach, “Daffy” Hat Pageant, Children’s Parade, the Nantucket Garden Club’s Annual Daffodil Show, a Daffodil Festival Marketplace, Window Decorating Contest, and a whimsical “Daffy” Dog Parade! New events are scheduled for 2014, so be sure to check our website, www.nantucketchamber.org for updates. Check out our Daffodil video, which is also available on the Nantucket App for Smartphones: https://vimeo.com/38106241. What originated in 1974 as a simple floral show sponsored '