Rockets, such as the Falcon 9 launch earlier this month, and fields of flowers frequently pop up around the Lompoc Valley, where the 72nd annual Flower Festival will occur this Thursday through Sunday.
Rockets, such as the Falcon 9 launch earlier this month, and fields of flowers frequently pop up around the Lompoc Valley, where the 72nd annual Flower Festival will occur this Thursday through Sunday. Credit: Mike Eliason photo

The Lompoc Valley Flower Festival will serve up a sweet version for the 72nd annual event. 

The 2025 edition of the Flower Festival, with the theme of “Candy Land,” opens Thursday and ends Sunday at Ryon Park, 800 W. Ocean Ave. in Lompoc.

A carnival, various vendors, arts and crafts booths, assorted food booths and an eclectic lineup of entertainers will fill the park for the next four days.

Ahead of the event’s opening, Jomelyza Wilhelm, sponsored by the Lompoc Filipino-American Club, was crowned the 2025 queen and named Miss Congeniality. She followed 2024 Flower Festival Queen Madison McCarley.

On Saturday, the annual Lompoc Valley Flower Festival Parade will travel along North H Street and West Ocean Avenue, ending at Ryon Park. The parade, which typically has more than 60 entries, is scheduled to start at 10 a.m.

This year’s parade grand marshal, Kim Blea, owner of Tom’s, has been recognized as “a true example of dedication, kindness and community spirit.” 

Through the years, Blea has supported youth sports teams, the Flower Festival Association and other local causes, including hosting “tip nights” at the restaurant.

Festival admission to Ryon Park is $7 for adults, $5 for children ages 6 to 11 and free for children age 5 or younger. Parking will cost $10. However, admission is free until 1 p.m. Thursday and Friday. 

Food booths, vendors and the beer garden will open at 11 a.m. all four days while the carnival opens at 2 p.m. 

An opening ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. Thursday at the park.

Helm & Sons Amusements will provide the carnival rides and games. The unlimited ride wristbands cost $55, or $75 for the express version on site.

A full slate of entertainment will be provided at the park’s main stage with:

  • Heart & Soul as the headlining act at 8 p.m. Thursday. Others are Nova Dance at 2 p.m., Matthew Balling at 3 p.m., Swing Shift at 4 p.m., Gas Station Sushi at 5 p.m. and Soul Cats at 6 p.m. at Los Legatos De California. 
  • Miriah Avila at 8 p.m. Friday and Cota the Barber at 9 p.m. Friday. Earlier performers include Destined Dance at noon, Fat Chance at 1 p.m., Los Rayoz De Guadalupe at 2 p.m., Flip Side at 3 p.m., WhoseHouseIsThis? at 4 p.m. and Equipo Mercado at 5 p.m.
  • ’90s Babiez at 6 p.m. Saturday follow by Kendall Tucker at 8 p.m. Saturday. Starting the noon Saturday others are Spange at noon, Elevation at 1 p.m., Mestizo at 3 p.m. and Live Wire at 5 p.m.
  • Richard Bean, the original voice of Malo, at 6:30 p.m. Sunday followed by Tierra Legacy at 7 p.m. Sunday. The day kicks off with Live & Love Dance at noon, Garcia Dance Studio at 1 p.m., Banda La Reyna De SB at 4 p.m. and Banda Tierra Nueva at 5 p.m.

Since the 1950s, the Flower Festival celebrates the community’s roots in the flower industry that involved world-famous colorful fields of flowers attracting visitors. 

While fewer fields exist, and other crops fill the fields, some colorful displays can be found, typically west of the city. 

The nonprofit Lompoc Valley Festival Association and its army of volunteers spearhead planning for the event. 

For more information, a list of food vendors, schedules and more, go to the festival website at lompocvalleyfestivals.com or the Facebook page by clicking here.

— Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.