DEL NORTE – This past weekend, Bloomstead Farms in Del Norte held its first-ever Dahlia Festival on Aug. 23-24, marking a momentous occasion for both the farm and the local community.
Nearly 250 people gathered over the two-day celebration to witness the beauty of specialty dahlias and partake in festivities that offered a taste of Colorado's rugged charm mixed with floral elegance.
The event began on the evening of Aug. 23 with a catered dinner under the stars. The setting couldn’t have been more picturesque, with tables nestled near the breathtaking dahlia fields, all in full bloom. Guests enjoyed barbecue beef and veggie kabobs, baked potatoes, fresh buttery biscuits, and an array of grilled vegetables, while a DJ spun music that encouraged dancing well into the night.
The evening also featured a dahlia field tour complete with map and signs, where guests could get an up-close view of the different dahlia varieties and learn about their unique qualities. Despite being a first-year event, the evening was magical and left attendees talking about next year’s celebration before the night had ended.
The festivities continued Aug. 24 with a full day of farm fun. Bloomstead Farms opened its doors to families and dahlia enthusiasts alike, offering farm games, performances by students from Ms. Kai's Performing Arts Academy, and a showcase of Wendi's Good Things market products.
In the heart of the farm’s fields, local families played among hay bales while taking in the colorful dahlia blooms that stretched across the landscape.
A highlight of the weekend was the voting of the top dahlias. The coveted title of Dahlia of the Year was awarded to the Camano Zoe, a stunning dahlia known for its perfect symmetry and soft pink and white petals. Coming in as the runner-up was the Belle of Bamera, another showstopper with its bright peach-pink hues and delicate form. These two dahlias are now available for pre-sale as tubers at bloomsteadfarms.com, and they're expected to sell out quickly as interest in specialty dahlias continues to grow.
The festival also served as the perfect backdrop to launch Bloomstead Farms’ U-Pick experience. Now through the first of October, visitors are invited to stroll the fields and pick their own bouquets of dahlias Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This offering allows people to experience the beauty of Bloomstead Farms firsthand while creating their own custom floral arrangements to take home.
For those who couldn’t attend the festival, the farm’s website now offers pre-sale orders for their highly sought-after specialty dahlia tubers, which will be shipped in the spring. The Camano Zoe and Belle of Bamera are leading the charge, with orders already rolling in.
As Bloomstead Farms looks ahead to future festivals, it’s clear that this inaugural event has laid the foundation for something special. The farm has blossomed into not just a local treasure but also a growing destination for flower lovers from across the region. With the community’s support and a love for all things in bloom, Bloomstead Farms is ready to nurture this festival into an annual celebration that brings even more beauty and joy to the San Luis Valley.
