01-05-2025
Daffodil Festival returns for 45th year in Meriden
MERIDEN, Conn. (WTNH) — The 45th annual Meriden Daffodil Festival is happening this weekend. It's a family-friendly event that organizers say has something for everyone.
'Daffodil weekend is not only a jump start to spring, but festivals across New England,' Mayor Kevin Scarpati said.
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'I first started volunteering in 1986,' festival co-chair Ric Suzio said. 'Basically, we had no entertainment, we did the crowning of little Mr. and Miss. Daffodil and a picnic, and since then it's evolved to be the three stages, the crafts fair, the carnival.'
Suzio said new elements of the fair include Dave Matthews and Stevie Nicks tribute bands, a parade, and a fireworks show Saturday evening to mark the 45-year milestone.
'It's a great opportunity to come up and enjoy some family fun and entertainment,' he said.
There will be rides for the kids and all sorts of fun foods like empanadas, fried dough, barbeque and 'walking tacos,' which Suzio said are a bag of Fritos with chili and cheese.
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The food tent will be run by a number of non-profits, civic organizations and church groups the city urges you to support.
'This is in many ways the largest fundraiser these non-profits will have this weekend,' Scarpati said.
The city said the festival attracts over 70,000 people annually across New England and is mostly volunteer-run.
The Meriden Daffodil Festival runs Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9:15 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission to the park is free, however attendees will not be able to park on site.
People are advised to park at Platt High School, Lincoln Middle School and the Meriden Mall. There will be shuttle buses running every few minutes to take people to Hubbard Park.
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