[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 163 (Wednesday, October 11, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1361]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN HONOR OF THE CAPITOLA BEGONIA FESTIVAL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JIMMY PANETTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 11, 2017

  Mr. PANETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an important 
milestone in my district. The Capitola Begonia Festival has recently 
completed its 65th and final year. This event has provided family 
friendly fun in the beautiful village of Capitola for thousands of 
people in our neighborhood and beyond. It has brought hundreds of 
families together and has created many memories that will always be 
remembered.
   The Capitola Begonia Festival has been a cherished event in our 
community since it began in 1952. The begonias have been donated by 
several growers in our community, including the Antonelli, Vetterle, 
and Reinelt families. The Golden State Bulb Growers provided additional 
support that helped keep the tradition alive for 65 years. The begonias 
provided by all of these growers have been a part of one of the most 
prized events of the weekend, the Nautical Parade of begonia adorned 
floats. Each year, volunteers head down to the city of Marina in the 
early morning to collect the blooming begonias to adorn the floats. 
While begonias once grew abundantly in Capitola by the 1970's, they 
were eventually only to be found in Marina.
   The Begonia Festival has allowed us to encourage imagination in our 
community. We have seen a giraffe created out of begonias for the 2007 
``Jungle Safari'' theme and witnessed the sunshine yellow form of 
SpongeBob SquarePants come alive for the 2008 ``It Came From the Sea'' 
theme. Whether it is creative ideas or creative structures, the Begonia 
Festival has been an incredible outlet for art, creativity, and 
imagination here in our community.
   Along with the Nautical Parade, there have been many other 
activities created to help celebrate this special weekend. Among these, 
some favorites stand out, including the Horseshoe Contest, Fishing 
Derby, and the Sand Sculpture Contest, where art is created from one of 
the finest mediums found on the Central Coast of California. All of 
these events are open to the community and beyond, making Capitola a 
warm and welcoming environment. These cherished events will be 
remembered fondly for creating a family friendly and historical 
tradition for Labor Day weekend in our community.
   Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize this treasured community 
tradition that has brought together countless participants, volunteers, 
and sponsors. I thank all of those who have given their time and 
resources to make the Capitola Begonia Festival a gem of our community; 
one that will be truly missed.

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