Nantucket Daffodil Festival – April 29 – May 1, 2016

“Classic antique cars line the cobblestone Main Street from top to bottom decorated with sunny yellow daffodils and other creative embellishments. Staging for the antique car parade begins Saturday, April 30th at 9:30 am. The parade begins at 12, when the cars will drive through downtown and then proceed out to ‘Sconset for the tailgate picnic. Don’t forget to wear your daffodil attire and make some delicious tailgate food to enjoy in ‘Sconset.”

Bring the family because there is something for everyone at the Nantucket Daffodil Festival. Here is a schedule of events for the weekend festivities:

Friday – April 29, 2016

Friday-Sunday, Daffodil Festival Scavenger Hunt
Get a team together (up to 6 people, must be one adult per team) and scour the downtown area for answers to questions in our Daffy Scavenger Hunt Brochure, created by Look Book author Barbara Tibbetts.  Correct answers to all 20 questions give the team a chance to win a prize.  Available at the Chamber Office, Zero Main Street. $10/ team. Phone: 508-228-3643.

Magic Giant Daffodil Garden
See the “garden” created by island children, who made a giant daffodil or a cluster of not-quite-giant flowers, and “planted” them along the Milestone Road by the entrance to the Wannacomet Water Company and along the Daffodil Parade route. Organized and sponsored by the Nantucket Arts Council.

10 AM  to 5 PM – “Secret Gardens & Wild Kingdoms”
Gallery exhibition featuring artwork with an outdoor theme, plus Junior Artists Show on the second floor in the Artists Association Gallery at 19 Washington Street.

12 PM – Daffodil Festival Weekend Window Decorating Contest
Merchants are encouraged to beautify their store windows with an original Daffodil Festival theme. Ribbons for Best Decorated are awarded at 4:00PM. Sponsored by The Nantucket Chamber of Commerce. Zero Main St. 508.228.1700.

4 to 6 PM – Wine Tasting
What better way to celebrate Daffy Weekend and the start of rosé season than this “must attend” event to prep for the perfect tailgate?  You be the judge at this Hip Rosé Taste-Off while you stock up for your ultimate weekend get-together.  Held at Épernay.  1 N Beach Street, near the White Elephant and the Nantucket Hotel. Parking in Back. Phone: 508.228.2755 or online at www.epernaywines.com.

Saturday – April 30, 2016

9:30 AM — Daffodil Festival Antique Car Parade
Staging for the antique car parade begins at 9:30 am, walk among these classic cars and enjoy the daffodil decorations.  The parade begins at 12, when the cars will drive through downtown and then proceed out to Sconset for a tailgate picnic.

10:00 AM to 2:00 PM — Daffodil Weekend Book Sale
Daffodil Weekend Used Book Sale.  We have hundreds of previously enjoyed books and media for all ages at great prices!  Hardcover books $2, Soft cover Books and Media $1.  Held at the Atheneum Gallery, 1 India Street

10:15 AM — Daffodil Festival Children’s Parade
For children of all ages & their families.  Kids bring bikes, trikes, scooters, wagons, skateboards, baby carriages, or other self-propelled vehicles decorated for Daffodil Weekend.  Youngsters under 10 should be accompanied by an adult, and ALL kids on bicycles must wear helmets.  Children’s Beach, Harbor View Way. 508-228-1700. A Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce event

10:30 AM — Daffodil Festival Weekend Hat Pageant
Open to men, women, and children.  Parade around  Children’s Beach, Harbor View Way with your fun, beautiful, and outrageous Daffy hats. In case of rain, meet in the Nantucket High School auditorium, 10 Surfside Road. 508-228-1700. A Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce event

10:30 AM to 11:00 AM — Free Story Time at Bookworks
Bring the little ones to Bookworks, 25 Broad Street, for a free story time under the book tree.

11:00 AM to 4:00 PM — Whaling Museum Hours
The Whaling Museum will be open from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm.  13 Broad Street, 508-228-1894

11:00 AM to 1:00 PM  — The Official Clambake Season Kick-off Wine Tasting Event
What better festive occasion than Daffodil Weekend on Nantucket to sample the new releases from Clambake Wines of California. Proprietress Mary McAuley will be on hand to tease you with her new vintage of Unoaked Chardonnay + Limited Release Rose as we start the day shucking local oysters. Held at Epernay Wine & Spirits, 1 North Beach Street, near The Nantucket Hotel and The White Elephant.  epernaywines.com

12:00 PM to 2:00 PM — “Daffy Tailgate” Lunch at TOPPER’S
Buffett style picnic food and festive spring desserts; $35 and 25% off all Rose winesRetsyo Oysters served on TOPPER’S lower terrace priced per piece. TOPPER’S at The Wauwinet.  Reservations: 508-228-8768.

12:55 PM — Met Live:  Elektra (Strauss)
Legendary mezzo-soprano Waltraud Meier is chilling as Elektra’s fearsome mother, Klytamnestra. Soprano Adrianne Pieczonka and bass-baritone Eric Owens are Elektra’s troubled siblings. Chereau’s musical collaborator Esa-Pekka Salonen conducts Strauss’s mighty take on Greek myth.  Held at The Dreamland Main Theatre, 17 South Water Street. Tickets $20, $18 for students, seniors and children.

1:00 PM to 3:00 PM  — Daffodil Festival Tailgate Picnic
Set up your picnic along Main Street, Sconset and enjoy this celebration of spring. A Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce event

1:00 PM to 3:00 PM — Daffodil Festival Family Beach Picnic
Bring your picnic and a blanket for this fun, free in-town alternative to the Sconset tailgate picnic.  Live music. Perfect for families with young kids, it’s held at Children’s Beach, Harbor View Way. A Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce event

2:00 PM to 5:00 PM — 42nd Annual Community Daffodil Flower Show
The 42nd Community Annual Daffodil Show approved by the American Daffodil Society will be held at Bartlett’s Farm at 33 Bartlett Farm Road!  There are entry classes for horticulture, flower arrangements & photography.  Nantucket Garden Club. nantucketgardenclub.org  Free to the Public, Donations Welcome!

3:30 PM to 5:30 PM  — “Daffy Tailgate” After-Party at TOPPER’S
Special “Daffy Deck Menu” available for after party snacks priced a la carte. Wine flights available for purchase. Live entertainment. The Wauwinet’s courtesy van will shuttle to and from ‘Sconset. Bocce and croquet set up on the lawn (weather permitting). TOPPER’S at The Wauwinet.  508-228-8768.

4:00 PM to 6:00 PM — Spike Your Lemonade at this Apres-Tailgate Party
While it may not be Volleyball on the Beach season just yet, you can still begin to enjoy the benefits of Fishers Island Lemonade. Come taste this 100% spiked CRAFT COCKTAIL in a CAN, great on its own or the perfect pairing for a refreshing afternoon. Beachballs not included. Held at Epernay Wine & Spirits, 1 North Beach Street, near The Nantucket Hotel and The White Elephant.  epernaywines.com

5:00 PM to 7:00 PM — Sean Lee Performs Live
Local live music at Rose & Crown, 23 South Water Street.

6:00 PM to 8:30 PM — Daffodil Dinner at the Farm
Celebrate spring and kick off your Daffodil weekend with a family style dinner in the cozy Hayloft at Bartlett’s Farm, 33 Bartlett Farm Road.  BYOB.  Space is limited so  make reservations at bartlettsfarm.com  The cost is $40, inc. tax & gratuity.

8:00 PM to 10:30 PM — Sean Lee Band Performs Live
Local live music in the Brant Point Grill Lounge in The White Elephant Hotel, Easton Street.

Sunday – May 1, 2016

9 AM : Daffodil 5K Run
The scenic course traverses the village of’ ‘Sconset’s historic neighborhoods as well as ocean side roads. Hosted by the Nantucket Triathlon Club.

10 AM – 4:30 PM: 41st Annual Daffodil Flower Show
The Daffodil Show is sponsored by the Nantucket Garden Club, Member of the Garden Club of America and by the American Daffodil Society. Held in the greenhouse at Bartletts Farm, 33 Bartlett Farm Rd. Click here  for the complete Daffodil Flower Show program.

11 AM to 1 PM – Vintage Wine Yard Sale
Map this tasting event on your Sunday scavenger hunt as we are doing some Spring Cleaning ourselves!   Epernay’s Sommeliers will be on hand to open bottles for you to sample that will be available at Garage Sale prices. Epernay Wine & Spirits, 1 North Beach Street, near The Nantucket Hotel and The White Elephant.  epernaywines.com

Friday-Sunday, Daffodil Festival Scavenger Hunt
Get a team together (up to 6 people, must be one adult per team) and scour the downtown area for answers to questions in our Daffy Scavenger Hunt Brochure, created by Look Book author Barbara Tibbetts.  Correct answers to all 20 questions give the team a chance to win a prize.  Available at the Chamber Office, Zero Main Street. $10/ team. 508-228-3643.

Magic Giant Daffodil Garden
See the “garden” created by island children, who made a giant daffodil or a cluster of not-quite-giant flowers, and “planted” them along the Milestone Road by the entrance to the Wannacomet Water Company and along the Daffodil Parade route. Organized and sponsored by the Nantucket Arts Council.

events source: daffodilfestival.com