Since the last Artichoke Festival in 2019, a lot of changes have come to the events industry. The Artichoke Festival is, first and foremost, a celebration for families put on by members of the same community whose own families live here, too. A commitment to public health and safety is just as important to every committee member and volunteer as it is to festival goers.
“Safety and satisfaction are a priority at the Artichoke Festival,” says Wes McClellan, Security and Grounds Chair for the Artichoke Festival. “We’re committed to doing everything possible to provide a clean and safe experience. We are closely monitoring local and federal health and safety guidelines regarding public health, security, and fire safety. We’re working with regulatory agencies from CalFire to State Fairgrounds staff, to the Monterey County Health Department and City of Monterey Police to ensure that our event will be the safest ever.”
The Artichoke Festival Committee takes security and safety at the event seriously, and hopes festival goers will help in their collective effort to follow all measures outlined by federal, state, and local authorities. Updated security protocols, including bag check policy, prohibited items list, fire safety policies, layout changes, social distancing rules, and COVID-19 proof of vaccination policies for volunteers and committee members were created to protect everyone, including attendees, volunteer staff, nonprofit partners, sponsors, vendors, and performing artists.
With the 2021 festival theme promising “Thistle Be a Good Time!” for California residents of all ages, the 61st Annual Artichoke Festival, slated for July 24-25 at the Monterey County Fairgrounds, expects to host at least 8,000 visitors over two days. Added McClellan, “as a member of a family with a lot of volunteer hours spent on the Artichoke Festival, we want everyone to have fun celebrating artichokes—safely and securely!”
Advance festival admission tickets are available at www.ArtichokeFestival.org and at the door, ranging from $15 for adults; $5 for youth 6-12, $10 for active military and seniors (62+). Children under 6 are free. A special early-bird ticket package will be on sale until July 10.
