GLOUCESTER, Va. — The Daffodil Festival was "fantastic" on Sunday, despite having to be canceled on Saturday due to inclement weather, and the crowd at the shortened festival was estimated to have exceeded 15,000 people, according to Gloucester Parks, Recreation & Tourism.
"It was an extremely tough decision to cancel Saturday's portion of the Daffodil Festival," says Gloucester Parks, Recreation & Tourism Director Katey Legg. "The volunteers and staff work so hard for the entire event, so it's disappointing that a portion of it was canceled."
Legg says the festival staff couldn't, in good conscience, take the chance with the forecasted high winds for Saturday.
While Saturday was canceled, festival staff did extend Sunday's festival hours from it's normal half-day to a full-day event.
"We wanted to give our vendors the opportunity for more exposure, and those who attended a better chance to experience everything," Legg said.
Legg says last years Daffodil Festival, which was the first full-scale festival post-COVID, was the largest crowd she's seen with an estimated 25,000 to 30,000 in attendance.
"And for Sunday-only to come close to that number is quite an accomplishment," Legg said. "It goes to show how much our community has come to love and appreciate the Daffodil Festival and all it has to offer."
Gloucester Parks, Recreation & Tourism says although Saturday's parade was canceled and couldn't be rescheduled due to logistics, activities such as the Mutt Show, the crowning of the Daffodil Queen and Little Miss Daffodil, games, entertainment, food and vendors were all packed into Sunday's full-day event.
"Overall, I am so pleased with this year's Daffodil Festival, and we look forward to next year's event on April 6 and 7," says Legg.
Part of the Daffodil Festival is handing out awards to vendors and crowning Daffodil Queen and Little Miss Daffodil. The award winners are as follows:
ORIGINIAL HANDCRAFT
- Best in Show: Only Once Originals
- Second Place: Lady M's Brilliant Bazar
- Third Place: Meyerhoff Gems Minerals
- Queens Choice: Creekside Traders
FINE ARTS
- Best in Show: The Ship's Hold
- Second Place: Elena Jewelry Art
- Third Place: Karin Kampinga
Ella Hensley was crowned the 2023 Daffodil Festival Queen, and Kate Hunter was crowned the 2023 Little Miss Daffodil.
The four year renewable $1,000 scholarship winner was Kaylyn Stukes.
To learn more about the Gloucester Daffodil Festival, click here.
