If you’re wondering “where the flowers is”, I can tell you many of them are in full bloom right here in San Diego County. Spring has sprung these last couple of weeks, and, my, oh my, the flowers are a-bloomin’ just about everywhere you look – even wildflowers along the highways. Such a pretty time of year in San Diego.
And to celebrate spring, each year the annual “Bluegrass Day at the Flower Fields” happens at the Carlsbad Flower Fields where you kind find just about every kind of flower you can think of in bloom there. The Flower Fields are most notably known for their fields of ranunculas – 50+ acres of these extraordinary blossoms overlooking the Pacific Ocean. When in bloom, visitors are treated to rainbows of color descending the hillsides. There are also floral displays such as a sweet pea maze, a magnificent succulent garden, hundreds of rose varieties in full display, and a multitude of Mother Earth’s generous paintbrush of flowers. It is a stunning place to visit in the spring.
I paint this visual of the Flower Fields so you can picture this venue of picturesque acres noting the dramatic ranunculas in full display are also the backdrop behind their performer’s stage. Each year the Flower Fields hosts a day of bluegrass music where local bands perform for the thousands of visitors to the Flower Fields. There are numerous tourist buses that stop here regularly, and oh yes, I forgot to mention all the strawberries for sale along with strawberry shortcake, fresh lemonade and their outdoor grill with great food. Families, young people, and seniors all come out the Flower Fields to usher in the spring.
I’ve been blessed to perform at the Bluegrass Day at the Flower Fields for the last few years. Looking out at the crowd of people from the stage, with the flowers all around, and the ocean there in the distance is so inspiring. It makes you grateful to be able witness all this beauty in one place. And adding bluegrass music to this experience is really the frosting on the cake, or nectar on the blossom as it were. Summergrass has worked with the Flower Fields to provide this local music day for many years, and it draws a very large and faithful crowd fans each year. It’s a pleasure to see old friends there, and meet new ones, too – all of us enjoying this springtime jewel of a venue.
And I don’t want to forget the tractor rides available. All through the Flowers Fields spring time shows, the Antique Gas & Steam Engine museum provides tractors that pull wagons of people so they can tour the grounds that way. The tractors are going all day every day during the spring, so that gives you an idea of how many visit this place. The Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum is our venue for Summergrass each year. The museum organization is a non-profit and wonderful group of hard-working folks. Their outdoor museum in Vista provides static displays that take you back to the old farm days of the 1930’s and ‘40s. Their Blacksmith shop, 1930’s gas station replica, weaver’s building, and steam engine tractors are just a sample of their displays there. One of my friends had the best description of the museum ever. He calls it “Disneyland for old people!” That says it all.
Bluegrass music really fits at the Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum. And at this time of year, bluegrass is a perfect match at the Bluegrass Day at the Carlsbad Flower Fields It’s a win-win for all of us. That’s music to my ears.
