Knott’s Berry Farm’s Boysenberry Festival

By Erin

*This is written by me for GigaSavvy. I do not work for or with any brand mentioned in this article, nor do I have any official relationship with them. I’ll be attending a media event for the Knott’s Berry Farm Boysenberry Festival with complementary passes. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.*

Boysenberry Pie. Boysenberry Lattes. Boysenberry Trifles. Oh my! Now all we need is a glass of boysenberry wine! As a foodie at heart, Knott’s Spring is my all time favorite time of year here at Knott’s Berry Farm, because of all the fresh and tasty bites and sips to choose from. This is one fun spring food fest that you won’t want to miss! You can celebrate this spring during Knott’s Berry Farm’s Boysenberry Festival that is harvested in the theme park’s historic Ghost Town. From March 28th- April 12th, 2015, this 16-day festival returns with an unforgettable lineup of exquisite Boysenberry Bites, dazzling entertainment, gourmet food and the Wine and Craft Brew Tasting Garden, plus the limited time return of the classic Bear-y Tales characters in a pie making kitchen, and more!

Ghost Town: The History

A little bit of fun history about Knott’s that you may not know, as this fun festival celebrates its roots. Back in the 1930s, Walter Knott harvested the boysenberry, which is a cross between a loganberry, red raspberry and blackberry. It was named after its originator Rudolph Boysen. All boysenberries in the world can trace their roots back to Knott’s Berry Farm. That’s pretty neat!

 This spring you can purchase authentic boysenberry plants from Walter & Cordelia Knott’s Original Roadside Boysenberry Stand (recreated for the special event). The Knott family sold freshly picked boysenberries from the original stand. Guests can capture the moment and the memories at boysenberry themed stand-in cutouts, like wanted posters, a boysenberry farming family and more. Watch special demonstrations including a chainsaw wood sculpting, glass blowing and blacksmithing. Meet the Ghost Town’s mayor, Mayor Desmond Ryder and his lovely wife, Josephine. From day to night, Ghost Town has never looked so lively.

Tasty Boysenberry Treats to Try

Deep Fried Alligator Pieces & Fries with Boysenberry Aioli

Fried Cheese Curds paired with a Spicy Boysenberry Dipping Sauce

Craft Beer and Wine Vendors – Boysenberry wine and Belgium Boysenberry Beer, located inside of Ghost Town’s Wilderness Dance Hall, will feature an assortment of wine and craft brew labels, in addition to a variety of boysenberry inspired gourmet food that’s just bursting with flavor.

Boysenberry Trifle (vanilla cake piece, frozen boysenberry, soft serve ice cream, and whipped cream)

Berry Market™ Boysenberry BBQ Sauce smothered on an assortment of other delectable treats (an original Knott’s Berry Farm creation)

Fish and chips sandwich with boysenberry tartar sauce

Boysenberry ICEE Floats

Boysenberry Frappuccino and Latte (served at the new Gourmet Coffee Hut which proudly serves Starbucks drinks)

And more!

You can find more charbroiled treats cooked on open-air barbeques throughout the streets of the festival. Additional fee for tastings. Guests who want to take home the exquisite sauce can do so by stopping by the Berry Market, General Store in Ghost Town or by visiting knotts.com.

Festival Entertainment From Sun Up To Sun Down

There are so many fun things going on during Knott’s Berry Farm’s Boysenberry Festival, you won’t want to miss a thing. Here is just some of the exciting line-up that is in store for  this spring at Knott’s.

– Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies- things get krazy when Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies mount their toe tappin’, knee-slappin’, gut-bustin’ country comedy show that will have audiences clamoring for more!

-The Easter Beagle- the whole family can meet the Easter Beagle in his new home, blooming with colorful springtime décor, nestled inside of the Camp Snoopy area.

–Birdcage Square-located in front of the famous Birdcage Theatre. Here, a stage will be set for daily contests like pie eating, a pie walk, and Grandpa’s Boysenberry PJs Contest, where guests will race to stuff the oversized long johns with balloons.

–Peanuts Party in the Park– celebrate spring in a BIG way with infectious music, vibrant set design, and an invitation for the audience to be a part of the show!

–Jammin’ in the Dark (nighttime dance party)– transform the blooming circle into an jammin’ dance party with illuminated boysenberries, vines and LED lighting effects affixed to the Charleston fountain. DJ HowLy will spin the hottest dance music for all ages.

-Salsa dancing– Salsa Dancing in Fiesta Village, where everyone can to take to the floor to the rhythmic beat of popular Latin dance music.

-Beary-Tales–  Join the classic Bear-y Tales characters in your very own pie making kitchen inside of Ghost Town’s Craft Barn. The pint sized chefs can also make their very own delightfully sweet boysenberry tarts complete with a crumble topping. Additional cost applies for tart making

Would you like to WIN a couple of tickets to attend the Knott’s Berry Farm’s Boysenberry Festival? One lucky reader will win two tickets to get to experience Knott’s Spring and all the tasty goodness that this time of year brings. Be sure to enter below in the rafflecopter giveaway link for your chance to win them!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

***Special Note*** The 2 giveaway tickets are valid during the Boysenberry Festival season only, March 28-April 12, 2015.  Entries for this giveaway ends on 3/14/15 at 12AM. US Residents Only, and you must be able to attend on one of the dates mentioned above. Prize is for Park Tickets ONLY. No travel or other expenses are covered. No purchase necessary to enter. Winner will have 48 hours to claim the prize or a new winner will be selected at random. Prize will be fulfilled by sponsor. See Sweepstakes Rules section on the blog for complete list of rules and regulations. Good luck! 

Boysenberry Festival Info!

When: March 28 thru April 12, 2015!

Where: Knott’s Berry Farm

See you there!