Bristol Mum Festival facts for kids
The Bristol Mum Festival is a super fun yearly event in Bristol, Connecticut. It's famous for celebrating beautiful chrysanthemums, also known as 'mums'! This festival first started way back on October 7, 1962, and it even has a special parade called the Mum Parade.
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What is the Bristol Mum Festival?
The Bristol Mum Festival is an exciting annual celebration held in Bristol, Connecticut. It honors chrysanthemums, which are colorful flowers that were once a very important product for the town. The festival brings the community together with various activities, including a lively parade.
How the Festival Began
The very first Bristol Mum Festival took place on Sunday, October 7, 1962. It started with opening ceremonies at the former Bristol Nurseries, a place that used to be covered in beautiful mum flowers. Ralph Joerres was the first chairman of the festival. He invited everyone to special "Open House" events. These events welcomed people to places like the American Clock & Watch Museum and the Bristol Water Company. Local leaders and city officials worked together to plan many activities for the festival, which lasted for six days. They wanted to highlight all the good things happening in Bristol.
From Fall Festival to Mum Festival
When the festival first opened, it was simply known as the Fall Festival. However, in 1963, the amazing Chrysanthemum flower was added to the festival's name. This change made it the "Bristol Mum Festival" we know today.
The Importance of Mums in Bristol
Before 1986, when mum production stopped, the nurseries in Bristol were huge! They grew over 80,000 mum plants, with acres and acres of land covered in these vibrant flowers. During the festival, more than 10,000 people would visit these nurseries. It was a spectacular sight to see so many mums blooming at once.
Recent Festival History
The Bristol Mum Festival has been a beloved tradition for many years. However, the festival took a break in 2020. It continues to be a cherished event that celebrates Bristol's history and its connection to the beautiful chrysanthemum.
