Marigold Festival Opens at Plant City Farm Ahead of Day of the Dead

Thousands of visitors gathered at Sanchez Farms Santa Maria Tepos Farms in Plant City on Oct. 15 for the opening of the Festival de Cempasúchil. Attendees moved through open fields of blooming marigolds and colorful banners to access live music and Mexican food vendors. The event runs without roof cover, and attendees must pay $10 for parking per vehicle.

The festival aligns with Día de Muertos, a traditional holiday observed on Nov. 2. Marigolds, known as cempasúchil in Spanish, serve as a central element in ofrendas, which are altars built to honor deceased loved ones. Families use the bright flowers to mark the holiday and remember those who have passed away.

The plant holds ecological value beyond its cultural role. A 2024 study from Florida International University examined the water-cleaning capabilities of various flowers. Researchers found that giant marigolds extracted 52% more phosphorus and 36% more nitrogen from polluted waterways over a 12-week period compared to natural nitrogen cycles in untreated water.

Dr. Locke-Rodriguez, a researcher involved in the study, noted the practical benefits of the crop. “In our trials of various flowers, giant marigolds stood out as the most successful, producing long, marketable stems and large blooms,” she said in a report published by FIU News.

Local attendees reported satisfaction with the food and atmosphere at the festival, though some waited in long lines. The event remains open daily through Nov. 2. Hours of operation are set from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Each day, visitors can walk the flower fields and attend scheduled musical performances at the Plant City location.