The First Capitola Begonia Festival Queen & Her
Court
Jeanette Hayford and her sisters, Caroline and Barbara
During the first few years after incorporation, Capitola searched for
a perfect summer pageant to showcase the new municipality and its prospects
for the future. The annual Capitola Begonia Festival became the ideal event,
featuring begonias from the neighboring Vetterle, Antonelli and Brown bulb
ranches. Begonias fastened to surfboards and barges in the 1950s were eventually
replaced by more elaborate floats. Today, the floats that parade down Soquel
Creek each September are often accompanied by theme music and brief theatrical
performances. |
Back
