Berrylicious! It’s that special time of the year down on the farm. The Boysenberry Festival has returned to Knott’s Berry Farm and runs through April 3. Guests can celebrate the amazing berry that started it all with ridiculously good food, live entertainment and shows. the entire park dripping with decorations and a festive atmosphere that really pops this year. Let’s go through the list of things there are to see and do.
Lucy’s Really Big Show
Starting off with Camp Snoopy we land at Lucy’s Really Big Show. This is a repeat show from last year and it does the job. This stage show featuring Linus, Charlie Brown, JT (A human host) and Lucy. Aimed squarely at children from 2-10, the show is bright, lively, and entertaining enough for kids.
Calico Saloon Show
Utilizing the fully renovated Calico Saloon, this stage show is a lovely little distraction nestled inside the famous watering hole. Get there a little early, grab a beer, and head up to the second floor where there is a great view from the balcony. 
Pie Eating Contest
As is tradition on the first day of the event, the World Boysenberry Pie Eating Contest was held in Calico Square yesterday. The usual suspects returned to compete in the consumption competition. Among them was the title holder, Joey Chestnut. 
Knott’s Berry Farm World Boysenberry Pie-Eating Championship – in 8 minutes:
- Joey Chestnut 14.5 pounds (New World Record) $2,000 prize
- Steve Hendry 10.25 pounds $1,000 prize
- Miki Sudo 9.5 pounds $600 prize
- Michelle Lesco 9 pounds $300 prize
- Tie: Rich LeFevre + Justin Mi 8.5 pounds $100 prize – shared.
Peanuts Party in the Park
Another one of our absolute favorites has returned. Heralding the return of spring into Boardwalk Circle is Peanuts Party in the Park. This show is presented on what is normally the fountain in front of Johnny Rocket’s. The fountain doesn’t run with water, instead it is festooned with flowers and draped with decorations. It’s really a beautiful piece of work. The show starts and immediately the energy shoots through the roof. Dancers enter the circle pulling covered wagons filled with boysenberries and other props. Smiling, upbeat and in constant motion, the dancers engage and entertain. The show, presented in the round, offers a great view from anywhere in the circle. The show features the regular pop tunes that are always picked for this celebration, but there is a country patina layered on to the soundtrack this year that ties everything into the western heritage of the festival.The selections this time around are much better in keeping energy levels high and pacing consistent. 
Now, on to the real star of the Boysenberry festival . . . the food and drink!
Boysenberry Festival Food Offerings
During the Boysenberry Festival, over 70 unique boysenberry inspired food, drinks and more are offered throughout Ghost Town, including short ribs, BBQ chicken, chicken wings, and more BBQ dishes flavored with Knott’s signature Boysenberry BBQ Sauce. There are a lot of delectable specialties including, crispy deep fried Alligator bites that are paired with farm-made zesty Boysenberry aioli, deep fried Boysenberry ice cream, finger-licking and Boysenberry BBQ wings The newest creation on the block is the Fun Stick. Think of a gigantic piece of rich, creamy cheesecake. Then deep-fry it in funnel cake batter and smother it in boysenberry cheesecake frosting and sprinkle it with powdered sugar. BEHOLD THE FUN STICK 
Knott’s offer
s what they are calling the Boysenberry Bites Tasting Card. Guests can experience selections of Boysenberry Festival food for $25, the tasting card includes generous portions of six delectable treats:
1. Boysenberry BBQ Short Ribs at Spurs Chophouse 
2. Spicy Boysenberry BBQ Wings
3. Fried Alligator Bites with Fries & Boysenberry Aioli at Sutter’s
4. Boysenberry BBQ Meatballs near Churro Factory 
5. Boysenberry Panna Cotta with Almond Crumble at Ghost Town Bakery 
6. Boysenberry Dessert Flautas at Ghost Town Grub 
Keep in mind that there are lots of other amazing offerings beyond what is available to those with a tasting card.
Wine and Craft Brew Garden
One of our favorite areas of the Boysenberry Festival is the Wine and Craft Brew Garden, located inside of Ghost Town’s Wilderness Dance Hall. Here, Knott’s offers 4 craft brews and over 50 different wines from 36 producers including boysenberry beer and boysenberry wine. In our opinion the Boysenberry wine was entirely too sweet, but there are some that loved it. The Boysenberry hard cider, however, was perfect. You can grab a Tasting Card for $25, which includes 6 tastings paired with snacks. 
As the sun sets in the park another set of entertainment takes to the stages around the park.
Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies -Birdcage Theatre
Packing them into the Birdcage Theatre are Crazy Kirk and the Hillbillies. This Knott’s Berry Farm staple is a wildly popular show among guests and it’s with good reason. They are supremely entertaining and a tremendous amount of fun. It is gratifying to see that this group found its following after being let go from Disney. They are a far better fit here and the guests have embraced them 100% 
Salsa Dance Party with Opa Opa Band – Fiesta Plaza
Without a doubt, Opa Opa is a genuinely entertaining band to enjoy. Situated in Fiesta Plaza, the effortlessly talented group of vocalist and musicians plays three times a night. 
Jammin’ in the Dark
Finally, as the sun sets fully, the bass gets bumping on the old Ghost Town stage. The crowd seemed to be loving the music but not really sure if they should dance or watch or both. Regardless, people seemed to be having a great time. 
Overall the Boysenberry Festival is another hit for Knott’s Berry Farm. It is the perfect marriage of what made the park popular to begin with, (the food) with nostalgic charm of the old west, along with the little berry that started it all. To see the park bustling with guests gobbling up the unparalleled food creations is heartening. Raffi, Matt, Lara, you are doing it right. We leave you now with shots from the park on this opening day of the Boysenberry Festival. 
Delicious taste-off. . . . Fun Bun or Fun Stick?
And the challengers are: Fun Bun – Cinnamon Roll battered and deep fried, topped with boysenberry cream cheese. And the Fun Stick – boysenberry cheesecake battered and deep friend, topped with boysenberry cream cheese on a stick. What say you?
WIN FREE TICKETS
Enter below for a chance to win 2 free tickets to Knott’s Boysenberry Festival including tasting card!
See you In the Parks.
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