Vendors and fun thrills arrive at Mistlin Sports Park once a year here in our small town of Ripon, California, which is known as the Almond Blossom Festival. Last year’s festival was gloomy and stormy, but this year was lively and bright! As you walk down each aisle of vendors, you look to your left and right to see sweets or even little shops filled with toys or other items. Like always, the food was extremely popular and delicious this year amongst everyone who went. Senior Kyle Prime’s favorite part about the festival was the food and he singled out a tasty taco stand. “That place was really good,” he excitedly explained. “I [also] ate a bunch of Girl Scout cookies!”
One of the vendors present during the festival was Kona Ice. A worker and RHS student, senior Taysia Lemkuhl, helped throughout the festival. “I really enjoyed seeing all of the little kids getting the stuff that they wanted from all of the vendors,” explained Lemkuhl. “They were all laughing and having fun and the parents were also enjoying [being with their kids].”
Not only was there a ton of fun within the vendors, there was also music being performed by local artists for people to enjoy. Next door to these spectacular vendors was the carnival. It included a multitude of exciting rides such as the ferris wheel and a small roller coaster.
Multiple students from Ripon High went to the carnival and had a blast, especially riding the Zero Gravity, which is a huge fan favorite. Junior Marcus Madoski exclaimed, “[My favorite ride] is the Zero Gravity [because] the adrenaline rush is very good and it’s a fun experience.”
This attracted people from all over the San Joaquin County and the festival is widely known as a famous Ripon tradition. The Almond Blossom Festival of 2024 was a hit and we can’t wait to see what’s in store next year!
