Volunteers

The Artichoke Festival has moved “Back to the Valley”, to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Posse Grounds north of Salinas, 395 Old Natividad Rd, Salinas CA 93902. Now located in the beautiful, bountiful Salinas Valley, this year’s event will be held on June 14th and 15th, 2025, celebrating:

• The 65th Anniversary of the Artichoke Festival, AND
• The Artichoke as the Official Vegetable of Monterey County (1986), as well the California Legislature’s designation of the artichoke as the Official State Vegetable (2014)!

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Artichoke Festival is fully run by over 300+ volunteers. We hope you will consider sharing your time and talents at our festival. Your help aids us in providing support and benefits through cash and donations to non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations throughout the California central coast, such as local school sports and education programs, animal assisted developmental and education programs, community programs that serve seniors, and community enrichment programs. We’ve given back over $320,000 in the past decade.

This tremendous opportunity to join a one-of-a kind event combines 65 years of long-standing community tradition with fun new ways to celebrate the iconic vegetable—and community—that has captured our hearts for decades. We look forward to capturing your heart, too!

Individuals and clubs wishing to volunteer for the Artichoke Festival must complete a Volunteer Application—please, one form per individual participant—and will be contacted by the Festival Volunteer Committee about next steps and placement for working on committees. Group volunteers will be contacted by their Group Leaders to provide final shift/day assignments.

ARTICHOKE FESTIVAL VOLUNTEER POLICY

1. Volunteers between 12 to 17 years of age must have a parent or legal guardian’s signature. (All applicants must be 12 years of age or older.)
2. Must be 18 years of age to become an Artichoke Festival Committee person.
3. Must be 21 years of age to work where alcohol or cooked food is served.
4. No benefits such as entry tickets or Committee access badges are issued until approved and placed on a committee.
5. Volunteers are asked to stay home if feeling sick or running a fever. Volunteers may wear a face mask if they feel it necessary for their own safety, and will not be discouraged from doing so. Protocols may change prior to the event.
6. Minimum shift hours: Saturday volunteers are required to work 5 hours. Sunday volunteers are required to work 4.5 hours. The volunteer entrance gate will close at 3:00 PM on Saturday, and 2:30 PM on Sunday. Volunteers arriving after these times will be required to pay Festival admission. Applications must be submitted by May 18 — No “day of” registration will be available at the event.