On April 22nd and 23rd, the annual California Poppy Festival took place at the Sgt. Steve Owen Memorial Park. This event celebrated Earth Day and the blooming of poppies, the state flower. The festival provided live entertainment, vendors, and activities. Merchants sold a wide variety of items, ranging from crafts to food.

One of the organizations represented at the festival was the Lancaster Animal Shelter. A representative of the shelter, Erika Tamez, was answering questions about animal adoption and care. Unfortunately, the dogs could not be there due to a canine influenza. Although the pups could not attend, they were still adopted into loving homes. The shelter currently has many stray dogs available, and they are sold for $65 to $115 (no more than $145), depending on the shots and medical treatments needed. The Care Center is hoping that their presence at the festival will increase adoptions.   

The American Red Cross was another vendor at the Poppy Festival. Gwen Cornelius was informing people about disaster preparedness and handing out bags with information regarding earthquake readiness. She was emphasizing that the San Andreas Fault runs through the Antelope Valley and there may be an earthquake any time. She wanted families and pets to be safe and prepared for any natural disaster.

Nancy Bunner was enjoying the Poppy Festival with her husband and grandkids. She has attended the festival for the past couple years. Her grandchildren love the animals and enjoy petting them. She stated, “ My husband loves the car show and sometimes it is hard to get him to leave.” Bunner buys bones and jackets for her dogs every year. Her friends from Florida even enjoyed the event and want to return next year.

This year was Glenn Martin’s fifteenth time attending the Poppy Festival. He said that it gets him out of the house and gives him something to do. His favorite part was the food because he always finds something different that he has never tried. He also enjoys looking at the “strange people.” Martin mentioned, “ I would only recommend the festival to a friend with children or a free ticket, but otherwise I think it is not worth it.” Martin hopes that there will be new vendors next year to add more of a variety.

The California Poppy Festival is a time to celebrate the blooming poppies. The food and entertainment draws people from all over the valley. People enjoy petting the animals, eating the food, and looking at the cars. The festival is a great time to get out of the house and meet new people.