Proceeds from annual event to benefit Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks’ Kids2Parks innovative park equity program
APRIL 12, 2023—SANTA CRUZ, CA—Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks today announced the annual Kitayama Brothers Farms Gerbera Festival will be celebrated May 20th, 2023, as Gerbera-N-Go, a drive-through flower sale at Kitayama Brothers Farms, located at 481 San Andreas Road in Watsonville (next to Sunset State Beach). Flowers can be preordered at www.thatsmypark.org/collections beginning April 17 through May 17. All proceeds from Gerbera-N-Go benefit Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, supporting Kids2Parks, an innovative park equity program that helps ensure all children in the community have equal access to state park field trips.
Flowers will be available in crates of five plants each, featuring a mix of colors. Preordered crates will be $15 each. A limited number of day-of sales also may be offered for $20 per crate (cash only). All flowers will be available for pickup from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 20.
“Our love of local state parks and beaches began when my brother and I were children. We’ve raised our families in these special places, especially Sunset State Beach just west of our farm,” said Stuart Kitayama, retired operations 
manager at Kitayama Brothers Farms and a Friends board member. “Providing support so future generations can experience the magic of state parks is important to us.”
This is the 13th year Kitayama Brothers Farms will celebrate the Gerbera Festival. The event was not held in 2020 due to the pandemic but was reimagined in 2021 as the wildly popular Gerbera-N-Go. Flowers have sold out the last two years, raising thousands of dollars to support local state parks and beaches.
“Our shared appreciation of local state parks and beaches — and belief in providing access for all — is at the heart of our relationship with Kitayama Brothers Farms,” Friends Executive Director Bonny Hawley said. “We are grateful for KB Farms’ longstanding commitment to the Gerbera Festival and appreciate this year’s focus on raising funds to support field trips to local state parks and beaches.”
Gerbera daisies are bright, colorful flowers with large blooms and strong stems. Kitayama Brothers Farms cultivates nearly 20 varieties in shades of red, pink, orange, yellow and white, with centers that are green, cream or dark brown.
About Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks
Established in 1976, Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks (Friends) is a vital partner with California State Parks, creatively working to ensure our cherished local parks and beaches are thriving and available to all. Friends’ innovative and collaborative community partnership provides support and investment for education, equity and inclusion, conservation, facilities improvements, historic preservation and cultural events. Friends currently operates a robust online ParkStore offering nature- and history-themed merchandise for sale to benefit local parks and beaches. Friends also operates ParkStores at Natural Bridges, New Brighton, Santa Cruz Mission, Seacliff and Wilder Ranch. Learn more at www.ThatsMyPark.org or via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and Pinterest.
About Kitayama Brothers Farms
KB Farms is a family-owned and operated business in Watsonville, California, and one of the largest flower brokers on the Central Coast. By donating plants and volunteering their time, KB Farms and the Kitayama Family continue a strong tradition supporting the community. Learn more about Kitayama Brothers Farms at www.kitayamabrothers.com.
