Wistaria Festival in Sierra Madre

Wistaria Festival (File Photo – Rachelle Pastor Arizmendi)

The Sierra Madre Wistaria Festival returns on April 12 to celebrate the Guinness Book of World Records’ wistaria vine.

By News Desk

Visit local shops, more than 100 crafters and food vendors, and the Sierra Madre auto show. All Sierra Madre restaurants and stores will be open.

The Wistaria Vine is one of the seven horticultural wonders of the world according to the 2013 Guinness Book of Records. The “wisteria” vine was named after botanist Caspar Wistar; the seeds were transported out of China by Marco Polo in the 13^th century.

The original plant, a “Chinese Lavender” wisteria vine in a gallon container, was purchased for 75 cents in 1894. It was planted near the front porch of a house on the corner of Carter Avenue. By the 1920s, the plant had engulfed and destroyed the original house so another house was built and the vine continued to grow. Today the Vine lives on a trellis between two houses which are on the original lot and built to accommodate the Vine.

Viewing of the Wistaria Vine became so popular that various organizations hosted the viewing, including the Sierra Madre Chapter of the American Red Cross (the first Annual Wistaria Festival), the Sierra Madre Woman’s Club, the Volunteer Firemen, the Masonic Lodge, the Eastern Star, and the Board of Trade. When the Sierra Madre Woman’s Club hosted the Festival in 1931, an admission fee was collected for the first time; 35,000 people went through the turnstile during the three-week festival.

During the 1960s, the owner of the house wanted the fee waived, and the Wistaria Festival remains free to the public. Parking is limited, but a shuttle service runs from downtown Sierra Madre to the Vine for a fee.

For shuttle tickets, click here.

Sierra Madre Wistaria Festival
April 12, 2025
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Location
Sierra Madre Wistaria Festival
E Sierra Madre Blvd. and S. Baldwin Ave.
Sierra Madre, CA 91024