Tell Us About 03.2026: Poppy Fest

Morning glories!!  A quick look at the calendar indicates that this is the second Thursday of the month which means it is time for Tell Us About:  a global writing challenge.  This month's prompt was suggested by Deb who, from my point of view, is always game for any kind of merriment or fun.  In fact, her word of the year is silliness.  Gotta love it!!  I need to be sillier in my life.  We probably all do.

Tell Us About

When I learned of this month's prompt, I immediately thought of the Dia de los Muertos holiday I love so much.  This Hispanic holiday coincides with Halloween but they are very distinct celebrations.  The only problem with writing about Dia de los Muertos was that we are 2 seasons away from the time when that festival occurs.  Hmmm, I really wanted something that was more timely.  Ding, ding, ding... that's when Facebook reminded me of a festival being observed right here in my own backyard - this weekend.

Why, Hello, El Paso Poppy Fest

I almost feel ashamed of myself for not remembering Poppy Fest on my own (thank you, Facebook). Each spring, I am hopeful that the northeastern foothills of the Franklin Mountains will be blanketed in bright yellow poppy blossoms.  However, this year, with the Poppy Festival just days away, there is nary a sign of a single golden bud.  We are experiencing a moderate drought here on the Chihuahuan Desert so I think the poor little things just haven't had the rain they need to grow.  

Our last really abundant poppy season was in 03.2020 - coincidentally, just as Covid was beginning to bloom all over the country, and the world.  I remember thinking the beautiful flowers were sent by God and Mother Nature as a pleasant distraction from the early worries of the global pandemic.  

That year, because of social distancing, the El Paso Poppy Festival, was cancelled, I think.  But El Pasoans turned out in record numbers to admire the flowers and walk through the fields of blooms.  Cars parked up and down on both sides of Transmountain Highway so folks could hop out and 'be one with' nature for a pleasant a few minutes' distraction.  In the distance in the photo below, you can see the cars parking along side the road.  

Aren't those blossoms just so uplifting and cheerful?

I remember begging Lauren to bring the girls across the mountain to see the amazing poppies that spring.  Lucia would have been 4 and Camila would have been 1-year-old at the time.  Lauren was so concerned about airborne contraction of Covid that they didn't want to take any chances being out and about among other people.  The poppies have not been as abundant since that spring.

So What is Poppy Fest?

"Poppy Fest is a celebration of Castner Range National Monument at the only part of the landscape open to the public. The El Paso Museum of Archaeology brings the community together through highlighting local artisans, vendors, and performers as well as providing a platform for Native American voices and traditions. Through nature, culture, and creativity, Poppies Fest fosters connection, education and shared stewardship of this special place."  ~El Paso Museum of Archaeology 

  

This year will be the 19th annual Poppy Festival - with the exclusion of 2020 for Covid.  Although apparently the poppies won't be making an appearance at the festival this year, the 'show must go on.' Poppies or not.

Beginning this Friday evening, 03.13.2026, the festival will kick off with several musical performances including El Paso's very own Pie Sisters, a sibling singing quartet.  

Throughout the day on Saturday, there will be cultural dance exhibitions, theatrical and musical performances including El Paso's own Mariachi Excelencia.  

There will also be an artisan popup vendor marketplace,free hands-on crafts and activities,booths hosted by local organizations and festival partners. And, of course, everybody's favorite - food trucks!!

The 2026 El Paso Poppy Festival will conclude Sunday early afternoon, 03.15.2026, with the annual Poppies Walk.

Why Poppies?

You might be asking 'why poppies?'  I have asked the same question several times over the years.  And there seem to be several answers to that question founded in local folklore.  

Although the flowers are native to this area, some say the seeds were originally spread by planes, and I have heard helicopters, flying over the area.  Others report that the seeds were spread by National Guard Troops training in the Castner Range which was once used for field artillery practice.  The range was designated as a national monument in 2023 by President Biden (thank you for protecting this area for our children's children).  There are myths that newlyweds originally spread the poppy seeds, or Japanese gardeners and even tales of our native mountain goats cultivating the blooms.  

Perhaps the most likely scenario is provided in this 2019 "Texas Highways" article where author E. Dan Keppler explains:

"...a 1931 city-wide campaign, sponsored by the now-defunct "El Paso Herald Post", which encouraged readers to fund seeding “…the mountain sides and mesas near El Paso with poppies, bringing nearer to the city the beauties of the poppy fields which annually attracts thousands of El Pasoans to the slopes of the Franklin range 10 miles north of town.” The plan, called the El Paso Poppy Club, included a $5 membership fee which financed the distribution of 200 pounds of poppy seeds across the foothills above the city." ~ Texas Highways, 03.04.2019

If that is indeed the case, this effort sure created amazing beauty and sense of community among the people of El Paso. Now, if we could all pull together to make it rain every spring so we are guaranteed poppies at Poppy Fest.

I am going to suggest PC and I stop by for either the Friday evening Pie Sisters' performance or the Sunday afternoon Poppy Walk.  Stay tuned for pictures on Instagram and Facebook!!

Painting Poppies

When my daughters were tweens, we used the poppies as a background for some family photos.  This photo is 20 years old and very grainy.  

I carried it around with me for years and then shortly after I retired, I decided to paint the photo.  

Oh, how I love the poppies!!  And my beautiful daughters, too, of course.

Global Writing Girlfriends

Hope you will join me in visiting the blogs of my Tell Us About buddies to read how they addressed this month's prompt.

Tumbafest is Debbie's favourite annual festival of music, food and wine in her small hometown of Tumbarumba. It’s gearing up to celebrate 30 years in 2027 which is an amazing achievement given many festivals are folding after just a few years. Read more at Deb's World.

Marsha grew up just outside a small town.  When she thinks of festivals, it isn’t music that comes to mind.  It’s something else entirely! Check out her post at Marsha in the Middle. 

Coming to us from her blog, Rosie Amber, Rosie asks, what is it about festivals that draw people to them?

Sally from Within a World of My Own talks about the Winter Carnival that was and the one that wasn't.

Suzy writes about why she’s never been much of a festival person, despite living in a country that loves them. Find her blog, Suzy Turner, here.  

Then be sure to run by to meet our newest member of the group, Catherine at A Typical 60.

Great news!! You can join us by linking up a recent post below. 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Your Turn

Is there a local festival you enjoy in your area?  Please share with me in a comment below.  Would love to know more.

Today we are having the El Paso granddaughters over for a playdate.  Going to the park, crafting, hot tub and playing 'shop' with all the dress up things.  The weather is very springlike and sunny.  Great day for all the activities.  As I cross the mountain this morning to pick up the girls, I will snap a photo of the Poppy(less) Festival location.  So sad that it isn't alive with poppy blossoms.

This area would be alive with bright yellow poppies in a wet spring.  

Have a wonderful weekend, friends.  Thank you for taking a few minutes to pop in for a visit.  

Hugs and kisses,