I have to admit, through the year’s I’ve been able to attend almost every single seasonal event at Knott’s Berry Farm and each one of them holds its’ own unique charm. However, one of my favorite times of the year is Knott’s Boysenberry Festival. From March 16-April 8 the park filled with food-inspired by the park’s historical roots the little berry that started it all, the boysenberry.
My favorite boysenberry-inspired creations, crafted by the Knott’s culinary team is deep-fried alligator and fries with boysenberry aioli in a cone. It’s been a must-have dish for me the past 2 years. The 2018 festival includes over 75 new and returning boysenberry-inspired creations. In addition to the tasty treats, the Knott’s Boysenberry Festival offers a wide selection of daily entertainment, live music and fun activities for guests of all ages to enjoy. I’ve attended the festival with my family for over 3 years and thought I would share with you our top thing to do at this annual event.
Camp Snoopy
Before, my family an I dive into the wide selection of delicious boysenberry- inspired entrees we like to head over to Camp Snoopy. It’s filled with rides and entertainment that is perfect for young children.
1) We always get there just in time to catch a show at Camp Snoopy Theater. On our visit, Joy giggles through the show as she watched “CAMPTIVITIES”. The show brings Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, their friend JT, and the world’s most famous beagle, Snoopy together to entertain the residents Camp Snoopy with music and more!
There are other great shows throughout the park for kids such as;
Easter Beagle – Spring has sprung all around the park including in Camp Snoopy where guests can meet everyone’s favorite beagle as he celebrates the season.
Snoopy’s Boysenberry Jamboree! – Guests are invited to join Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the entire Peanuts Gang in a show that will have families dancing and playing along at the Calico Mine Stage.
Old MacDonald Petting Zoo – Young ones and young at heart are invited to cozy up to the cutest critters on the farm including horses, sheep, goats and other furry friends.
Capture Those Memories
2) After show head next door where you can take pictures with Snoopy and the Gang. To avoid lines, we to sit on the left side of the theater and leave right when they are singing the last song. In order, to get in the photo line that is located directly behind the stage. I especially adore how this year’s photo of Joy and Snoopy. I may even put it in the stack that I plan on sharing with her future husband one day.
Playtime
3) After we are done taking pictures we spend a few hours in this area of the park to let Joy enjoy the rides. Joy is a little daredevil and every time we come to Camp Snoopy she asks if she can ride Linus Launcher. This year she finally had the opportunity and she was super excited as we waited in line.
We also rode several of the other rides such as the Huff and Puff, Grand Sierra Railroad, Rapid River Run, Rocky Mountain Trucking Company, Timberline Twister and many more.
Let’s Eat
4) Once Joy is tuckered out we head over to Ghost Town to chow down. This year our favorites boysenberry-inspired creations include the slow-cooked boysenberry short ribs, the juicy meat is smothered in boysenberry hoisin sauce served over butter basmati rice, chopped green and the meat was so tender it slide off the bone!
We also loved the boysenberry grilled sausage on a bun prepared with a freshly farm-baked roll and topped with boysenberry ketchup, relish, and mustard and the boysenberry elote, lightly grilled corn is smothered in fresh boysenberry butter, mayo and perfectly topped off with cotija cheese. For the dessert, we nibbled on scrumptious, perfectly bite-sized boysenberry coconut macaroons, dipped in a decadent chocolate ganache, as strolled over to our next destination.
During our visit, we used tasting cards discover the variety of new and returning food items during the festival. The cards are priced at $30 and offer 8 of the new food options per card; guests can select any 8 items of their choice. Returning and other signature boysenberry items will be available for purchase a la carte. You can purchase tasting cards at Knotts.com or in the theme park.
Just Unwine
5) As Joy explored more of the park with her big brother J.J King, I ventured into Wine and Craft Brew Garden, located inside of Ghost Town’s Wilderness Dance Hall, to indulge and have a few glasses of Boysenberry, which happens to be one of my favorites.
As part of the festival, the Wine and Craft Brew Garden offers 4 craft brews and over 50 different wines from 36 producers including boysenberry beer and boysenberry wine. The wine selections represent 27 renowned wine regions from 8 countries. The wine program was curated to offer a little of everything, from the latest trends in blends and small production wines to adventurous selections from up & coming wine regions, as well as bold domestic & import classics for the more discerning wine aficionado.
Shop Till You Drop
6) Bonus Ok, Ladies, I love to shop and I especially love homemade items. The Knott’s Berry Market features signature boysenberry items like the delicious boysenberry BBQ sauce or the classic jams and preserves. Unique boysenberry inspired products with a homemade twist will also be available as the Craft Fair returns offering a variety of products like boysenberry cashew nut brittle, boysenberry pie shaped homemade accessories and more.
The Boysenberry Festival is included with admission to Knott’s Berry Farm. Additional costs apply for food tasting experiences within the event. Knott’s will have extended hours on select days March 16 – April 8, allowing guests extra time to take advantage of all of the limited time offerings. The best way to savor everyday of the Knott’s Boysenberry Festival and all of the other Seasons of Fun is with a 2018 Season Pass.
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