Boysenberry Festival Returns

The Boysenberry Festival is back at Knott’s Berry Farm, running daily from March 10th to April 16th. Yes, the little berry that started it all, including the world’s first theme park haunt, gets its very own parkwide festival that tempts visitors with all manner of tantalizing victuals, all kissed with the taste of boysenberry. While this year offers an impressive array of food for nearly every taste and dietary need, the entertainment has been cut back and the festive decor has been judiciously distilled to key activations. Here we will share with you our strategies and suggestions for having an amazing time at The Boysenberry Festival.

THE FOOD and Tasting Cards

So this is how it works. There are seemingly endless food and beverage options throughout the park that are divided into two categories. Tasting Card Offerings and Ala Carte Food and Drink Offerings. A Tasting card will cost you $55 and gives you 6 items of your choice on the tasting card menu. Tasting Card items are located throughout Ghost Town. The Ala Carte food and Drink offerings are sprinkled more throughout the park and are not included on the tasting card menu.

As far as we are concerned, a Tasting card is the way to go. If you still aren’t sure about HOW much you might want to eat, you could always start with one card and share choices. Another thing to keep in mind is that if you buy a tasting card and don’t use up all of your choices, the remaining choices on your card are good until the fest concludes on April 16.

Incidentally, if you aren’t a season pass holder, Knott’s is also offering the Boysenberry Festival Bundle which includes admission into the park and three tasting card items for $94.99.

What we tasted and what we thought

There are some hits and misses in regard to the food and we are here to give you the heads up. There are some clear winners, some returning favorites, and “what were they thinking?” moments, but overall the food plays it safe with a more is more approach.

Boysenberry BBQ Beef Tips over Parmesan Grits with Green Onions

The best bite of the fest this year is the Boysenberry BBQ Beef Tips over Parmesan Grits with Green Onions. Located inside the Spurs Chophouse, this dish mixes sweet, savory, cheesy, and boysenberry into one heaping bowl of yum. Each person in our group tasted it and had the same reaction, “WOW!”

Boysenberry Sausage on a Hoagie with Boysenberry Mustard

The next best item was the old favorite Boysenberry Sausage on a Hoagie with Boysenberry Mustard at the Wilderness Broiler. With the perfect balance of savory sausage and a lilting boysenberry finish. That, drizzled with the tart Boysenberry Mustard is another bite worth taking.

Veggie Chili with a Boysenberry Crostini

The Veggie Chili with a Boysenberry Crostini at Spurs Chophouse was another winner. A nice-sized bowl of this hearty chili is accented with three little Boysenberry Crostini. This will fill you up, but not in that “Oh I shouldn’t have eaten so much” way.

Buffalo Chicken over Mac & Cheese with a Boysenberry Ranch Drizzle

Finally, the Buffalo Chicken over Mac & Cheese with a Boysenberry Ranch Drizzle at the Golden Mine Trail Booth was another surprisingly good bite. With all the creamy cheesy mac and the tart Buffalo chicken on top, this one is divine but dangerous.

Now moving on to a few warnings. The Veggie Sliders with a Boysenberry Mayo and Arugula at the Wilderness broiler was fine if a little dry and flavorless. The Sweet Corn Nuggets with a Boysenberry Honey Drizzle at Ghost Town Grub were forgettable. Finally, the one item that we urge you to skip was the Vegan Tofu, Wild Rice and Kale Bowl with an Apricot and Boysenberry Glaze at the Golden Mine Trail Booth. This discordant mix of flavors and textures was marred by chunks of bone-dry tofu, flavorless kale, and a dressing that lacked the strength to marry the flavors. Skip it.

Entertainment

While the Boysenberry Festival is known for its food and vendors, it has always been the entertainment that kept things lively. This year, there is a bit less going on in this category. Still, there is enough to keep show seekers entertained.

Riverboat Revenge – Bird Cage Theatre
Boo the villain and cheer the hero as we present a classic musical, comedy melodrama on the stage of the world-famous Bird Cage Theatre.

History of the Boysenberry – Ghost Town Hall
Grab a slice of history in our museum dedicated to the fruit that made it all possible.

Old MacDonald’s Farm – Livery Stable
Young ones and young at heart are invited to cozy up to the cutest critters on the farm including horses, goats, and other furry friends. Old MacDonald’s Farm pays tribute to one of the farm’s original attractions.Knott’s Preserved – Calico Mine Stage
Knott’s Preserved is an exuberant musical revue celebrating the heritage and history of California’s Original theme park and a national treasure.Boysenberry Fun and Games – Calico Mine Stage
Get in on the fun of some of the craziest and messiest games along with our famous Boysenberry Pie Eating Contest.

Tied up in Knott’s – The Factory Store
Knott’s continues to inspire artists from around the world. Check out this specially curated collection of Berry-themed works.

Music Goes ’Round and Around – CAMP SNOOPY™ Theater
Sally and Schroeder will host a retrospect of melodies in The Music Goes ‘Round and Around, where they’ll have the audience dancing in the aisles.

Listing of Food and Beverage Options catering to specific Dietary Needs

One thing that the Knott’s food and beverage team must be commended for is their special attention to the wide range of dietary needs of their guests. This is a food festival, after all, and if there isn’t something for everyone then

Gluten-Friendly Options:
•Vegan Tofu, Wild Rice and Kale Bowl with an Apricot and Boysenberry Glaze
•Boysenberry Wine
•Boysenberry Sangria with an Orange Slice
•Boysenberry Lemonade Seltzer
•Boysenberry Cider
•Boysenberry Margarita garnished with a Salt Rim and Lime
•Boysenberry Mud Slide over Ice
•Boysenberry Smoothie
•Cucumber Lemonade with Raspberries and Boysenberries
•Boysenberry Mango Lemonade with Mint
•Boysenberry Frosé
•Boysenberry Dippin’ Dots
•Elote with Boysenberry Butter, Boysenberry Mayo, and Cotija Cheese
•Loaded Potato Bowl with Boysenberry Cheese Sauce, Bacon, and Chives
•Chicken, Kale, Cranberry Salad with Boysenberry Thai Basil Dressing
•Purple Goddess Salad with Boysenberry Dressing
•Sausage and Pepper Medley
•Boysenberry Mojito
•Boysenberry Mule
•Boysenberry Prosecco
•Boysenberry Lemonade
•Boysenberry Float with Boysenberry Soft Serve
•Boysenberry Late
•Boysenberry White Russian-Alcoholic

Vegan-Friendly Options:

•Vegan Tofu, Wild Rice and Kale Bowl with an Apricot and Boysenberry Glaze
•Boysenberry Dippin’ Dots

Vegetarian Options:
•Vegan Tofu, Wild Rice and Kale Bowl with an Apricot and Boysenberry Glaze
•Boysenberry Hazy IPA
•Boysenberry Wine
•Boysenberry Sangria with an Orange Slice
•Boysenberry Lemonade Seltzer
•Boysenberry Cider
•Boysenberry Margarita garnished with a Salt Rim and Lime
•Boysenberry Mud Slide over Ice
•Boysenberry Smoothie
•Caprese Garlic Bread with a Boysenberry Balsamic Glaze
•Cucumber Lemonade with Raspberries and Boysenberries
•Boysenberry Blondie
•Boysenberry Swirl Big Fat Cookie
•Boysenberry Waffle with Whipped Cream and Boysenberry Maple Syrup
•Veggie Chili with a Boysenberry Crostini
•Boysenberry Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich
•Boysenberry Mango Lemonade with Mint
•Boysenberry Frosé
•Boysenberry Hefeweizen
•Boysenberry Dippin’ Dots
•Boysenberry Lager
•Elote with Boysenberry Butter, Boysenberry Mayo, and Cotija Cheese
•Boysenberry Bread Pudding
•Cauliflower Bites with Boysenberry Curry Drizzle
•Veggie Sliders with Boysenberry Mayo and Arugula
•Sweet Corn Nuggets with Boysenberry Honey Drizzle
•Boysenberry Key Lime Tart
•Boysenberry Pie Tart
•Boysenberry Cheese Danish
•Boysenberry Decorated Cookie
•Boysenberry Cinnamon Roll
•FUN BUN, Deep Fried Cinnamon Bun with a Boysenberry Glaze
•Boysenberry and Peach Cobbler Funnel Cake
•Purple Goddess Salad
•Boysenberry Cheesecake
•Boysenberry Bundt Cake
•Boysenberry Donut Funnel Cake
•Boysenberry Cream Cheese Rosti
•Boysenberry Mojito
•Boysenberry Mule
•Boysenberry Prosecco
•Boysenberry Lemonade
•Boysenberry Jam Cookiewich with Boysenberry Soft Serve
•Boysenberry Float with Boysenberry Soft Serve
•Beignets with a Boysenberry Sugar
•Boysenberry Donut Shake
•Boysenberry Macaroon
•Boysenberry Late
•Boysenberry White Russian-Alcoholic
•Boysenberry Margherita Pizza with a Balsamic Drizzle
•Boysenberry Cannoli
•Boysenberry Shaped Cookie Decorating Kit

Dairy-Free Options:
•Vegan Tofu, Wild Rice and Kale Bowl with an Apricot and Boysenberry Glaze
•Jambalaya with Boysenberry Sausage, Chicken and Shrimp garnished with Green Onions
•Boysenberry Wine
•Boysenberry Sangria with an Orange Slice
•Boysenberry Lemonade Seltzer
•Boysenberry Cider
•Boysenberry Margarita garnished with a Salt Rim and Lime
•Boysenberry Smoothie
•Cucumber Lemonade with Raspberries and Boysenberries
•Sushi Burrito with Spicy Crab Surimi, Avocado, Letuce, Crispy Onions, Sesame & Unagi Sauce with Boysenberry Sweet Chili Dipping Sauce
•Veggie Chili with a Boysenberry Crostini
•Chicken Wings with a Boysenberry Sweet Chili Glaze
•Boysenberry Mango Lemonade with Mint
•Boysenberry Frosé
•Boysenberry Hefeweizen
•Salmon, Cucumber and Orzo Salad with Boysenberry Dressing
•Boysenberry Dippin’ Dots
•Boysenberry Lager
•Boysenberry Sausage on a Boysenberry Hoagie with Boysenberry Mustard
•Cajun Shrimp Po-Boy with Coleslaw and a Boysenberry Remoulade
•Chicken, Kale, Cranberry Salad with Boysenberry Thai Basil Dressing
•Sausage and Pepper Medley
•Boysenberry Mojito
•Boysenberry Mule
•Boysenberry Prosecco
•Boysenberry Lemonade
•Smoke House Burger with Onion Rings and a Boysenberry BBQ Sauce
•Chicken Caesar Salad with Caesar and Boysenberry Dressing

Berry Last Thoughts

Overall, the Knott’s Boysenberry Festival is back and offers what you have come to expect with tasty food at the farm. Grab your tasting card, get there early to eat, then soak in the atmosphere.

About the Author

Norman Gidney is a nearly lifelong horror fan. Beginning his love for the scare at the age of 5 by watching John Carpenter's Halloween, he set out on a quest to share his passion for all things spooky with the rest of the world.