Poppies Forecast: 13th Annual Poppies Fest will showcase a super bloom of poppies

El Paso residents will be able to enjoy all of Mother Nature’s beauty with the 13th Annual Poppies Fest, which is happening at the El Paso Museum of Archaeology this Saturday at 10 a.m.

For some people, the sight of poppies is a sign that spring is right around the corner.

“It marks the beginning of spring in a way here in our valley, and as you can see it’s just really beautiful,” said Jeff Romney, director of the El Paso Museum of Archaeology.

Poppies in the Borderland begin blooming in January and their peak is usually in the middle of February.

“In a good year, the poppy bloom out here is spectacular. Last year the bloom was not that great. It was a lot hotter and a lot drier,” said Romney.

This year is a different story thanks to Mother Nature.

“With the cooler temperatures and the rain this year, we’ve had this explosion of bloom that’s happened all over the side of the mountain,” said Romney.

But how exactly do these poppies grow every spring?

According to Romney, when it comes to that question, some visitors believe a popular myth.

“There’s a myth out there that somebody flew over in a plane in years past and dropped a bunch of seeds. The Mexican gold poppy is actually native to our region. It’s a wildflower that grows naturally.”

Whatever the case, this weekend’s poppies festival is sure to be a beautiful site.

Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities including live music, art vendors, educational exhibits and food vendors. The museum will host live archery demonstrations and inside, visitors can see 14,000 years of prehistory in El Paso, the greater Southwest, and northern Mexico. In addition, the National Border Patrol Museum will be open for visitors to learn about the history of the United States Border Patrol.

The Downtown Art and Farmers Market will move to the museum grounds for the festival; the Anthony Street location will be closed so market vendors can participate in Poppies Fest. Visitors will be able to see local artists and craftsmen. Food trucks will be on hand to provide a variety of beverages and food.

Free Parking for Poppies Fest will be at El Paso Community College Transmountain Campus Lot B, and shuttle buses will be running from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Parking will not be allowed at the Museum of Archaeology or the Border Patrol Museum.

For more information on the Poppies Fest CLICK HERE