Flower Festival Blooms On Magnolia

The 23rd Larkspur Flower and Food Festival took over the main drag on Magnolia Avenue with the biggest block party around.

Vendors were selling everything from garden gnomes to hats to jewelry. Music lovers grooved to the sounds of the Doc Kraft Band and Tito Gonzales on the main stage at Magnolia and Ward. Polish sausages, roasted corn on the cob and Lagunitas IPA kept the stomachs satisfied.

It was Grilly's salsa that won the day, though. Grilly's took top honors in the salsa tasting contest in three categories — including People's Choice — with its red and spicy jabanero salsa. Tres Bonitas won the green salsa category and Saylors' fruit salsa was also a winner.

The Larkspur Library took advantage of the festival to do a solid business with its book sale, while the library mascot — a yellow hippo — cruised the block. Local leaders were rallying support for a new library to be built on a parcel of land within the Rose Garden Community Facility parcel.

Redwood High School's cheerleaders flipped, cartwheeled and kicked to raise funds for their school.

By the early afternoon, it was estimated by vendors that more than 4,000 people had passed through the tents from Ward Street to King Street.

The festival was sponsored by the Larkspur Community Foundation.