Daffy Days are here again...
Island's 34th Daffodil Weekend kicks off on Saturday
by Mary Lancaster Independent Arts Writer
A simple, bright yellow flower called the daffodil became an inspiration more than 35 years ago as the harbinger of Nantucket's spring season. Since 1974, when Jean MacAusland initiated the first Nantucket Daffodil Festival, the late April weekend event has grown to include more features and lots and lots more daffodils planted over time all across the island.

ROB BENCHLEY/The Independent

This year's official 34th Daffodil Weekend kicks off on Friday, April 25 with standard events and one that is new. Sponsored by the Nantucket Chamber of Commerce and in some instances by other participants, the festivities begin with choosing which businesses have the most interesting or unique window decorations. The judging happens Friday afternoon with ribbons for Most Creative and Most Traditional given at 4 p.m. that day.

On Saturday, April 26, events start with a children's parade at 10 a.m., originating this year at Children's Beach with kids who have decorated their bikes, wagons, skateboards and baby carriages - in the last case by moms, unless they have precocious offspring. Ribbons will be presented in particular categories but lemonade and cookies will be given to all entrants. At 10:45 a.m., the Daffy Hat Pageant gets going, with creative entrants wearing designs ranging from silly to daring. Children and adults may enter their hats, and ribbons will be awarded in various categories. The hat parade this year will also be held at Children's Beach.

Saturday's antique car parade begins with staging on Main Street in town between 9:30 and noon. Then the decorated vintage autos take the route from Centre to Broad to South Water to return to Main Street, then up Orange Street and through the Milestone Rotary out to 'Sconset where they park and take part in the tailgate picnic from 1 to 3 p.m.

Nantucket Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tracy Bakalar said the first daffodil flower show was in 1974 and the car parade was added to the event in 1978, at that time with just 19 cars. This year, and consistently in prior years, 100 cars are registered with more who would like to take part if possible.

One change this year involving the picnic is that work on water systems has taken place in 'Sconset, and the roadside along Main Street from Morey Lane to McKinley Avenue where the tailgaters park was newly seeded last month. Bob Gardner at Wannacomet Water Company said weather did not encourage grass growth, so the company will be spreading bark mulch along that stretch so people can still put a blanket down, though it will not be the usual soft, green foundation.

"It won't be the grass you usually put your blanket on, but you will be able to park there and have fun," said Gardner.

After the cars depart from town on Saturday, a new event will take place at 12:30 p.m. at the corner of Main and Federal streets where the first annual Daffodil Dog Parade begins. Cosponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and Nantucket's branch of the MSPCA, dogs decorated in their finest daffodil attire may be entered for competition, either ahead through either office or at a table on the morning of the event. Dogs participating must be on a leash and of a personality that mixes well with other pooches. All dogs in the parade will receive a treat from Geronimo's pet store, but one contest prize will be awarded for Best

Daffodil Theme. I

The Rainbow of Daffodils flower show is being held at The Coffin School at 4 Winter St. starting April 26 between 2 to 5 p.m. through April 27 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.