April showers may bring May flowers, but inclement weather put the kibosh on Saratoga’s annual Blossom Festival, originally scheduled for Saturday, April 13, at Heritage Orchard Park. Residents who were looking forward to the community event, which was first held in 1900, are hopeful that a new date can be found for the festival.
“I’ve been coming to the festival since I moved here in 1986,” Saratogan Meredith Moran said. “It brings back fond memories of our orchards, which were around then, and I love the fact that it honors this valley’s history.”
The Blossom Festival is produced by the Saratoga Historical Foundation and sponsored by the city of Saratoga. Stay informed of a possible new date through the city’s social media at https://www.facebook.com/CityofSaratoga or https://nextdoor.com/agency-detail/ca/saratoga/city-of-saratoga.
No matter the weather, spring is unofficially brunch season, and there are spots up and down Big Basin to indulge in the dining ritual: Kandoo Patisseire, 14510 Big Basin; Sue’s Gallery Café, 14665 Big Basin; Darla Cafe, 14572 Big Basin; and the new kid on the block, Mangia Mornings at 14554 Big Basin. This breakfast and lunch café specializes in freshly baked bread and pastries, and making everything from scratch from fresh local ingredients. www.mangiamornings.com
The Saratoga Chamber of Commerce’s Car Show Committee is looking for volunteers to help conduct various events happening during this summer’s Saratoga Car Show on Sunday, July 28. Call Tiger Teerlink at 408-828-9614.
A French Market and Carnival will be held Friday, April 19, 4-9:30 p.m., and Saturday, April 20, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., at the Westhope Presbyterian Church, 12850 Saratoga Ave. Sponsored by the Saratoga French Cultural Preschool and Kindergarten, the event is free. There will be wine, cheese and music on Friday, and face painting, pony rides, music classes and jump houses on Saturday. https://www.westhope.org/events/french-faire
And a reminder that the Saratoga Rotary Art Show will be held May 4-5 at West Valley College. It’s a win for our community since proceeds from the show are returned to worthy local organizations. www.saratogarotary.org
If you have social or business news about Saratoga, let me know: debby@debbyrice.com.