Monterey County, CA — The Monterey County Fair & Event Center is excited to host the return of the Artichoke Festival on June 8th and 9th, 2024. This year’s festival, embracing the theme “Where Fun Blossoms,” promises a vibrant and exciting weekend, filled with diverse activities that highlight the rich agricultural heritage of California with a special focus on artichokes.
Event Highlights:
- Adventures Park – Family Fun Zone: Dive into a world of family-friendly activities and entertainment, perfect for visitors of all ages.
- Culinary Bazaar – Foodie Finds: Explore a wide array of gourmet food options, highlighting the versatility and rich flavors of artichokes.
- Treasure Trove – Shopping Galore: Discover unique and artisanal products, perfect for finding that special something.
- Vineyard Oasis – Wine Time: Relax and unwind in our exclusive wine area, featuring local and exotic wines.
- Showtime Extravaganza – Entertainment: Enjoy a diverse lineup of performances, including live music, dance, and more.
- Chef’s Showcase – Chef Demos: Witness culinary masters at work, offering cooking demonstrations and sharing their passion for artichoke-based dishes.
- Exploration Junction – And More: Embark on a journey of discovery with various interactive and educational experiences.
Special Culinary Stage and Demo Chef Line-Up:
This year, the festival is proud to feature a series of exciting cooking demonstrations, providing a platform for chefs to showcase their culinary artistry with artichokes. The current lineup includes:
Saturday, June 8th
- 11:00 a.m. – Chef David Pasculli, Sammich’d
- 12:00 p.m. – Chef Brandon Miller, Paella LLC
- 1:00 p.m. – Chef Mike Fischetti, The Pocket
- 3:00 p.m. – Chef Sarah Cook, Cafe Carmel
Sunday, June 9th
- 12:00 p.m. – Brandon Miller, Paella LLC
Additional chef demo slots are available, and we invite more chefs to join this prestigious lineup.
Contact info@thebuzzpr.net to sign up.
Tickets on Sale Now!
Don’t miss out on this fun-filled celebration of artichokes and community spirit. Save the date and join us for an unforgettable experience!
Location: Monterey County Fair & Event Center
Join us at the Artichoke Festival 2024, where we unleash fun and celebrate the heart of California’s agricultural community. Stay tuned for more surprises, activities, and joyous celebrations!
For more details, visit our website and stay updated on all things Artichoke Festival!
About the Artichoke Festival
California’s artichoke history began in 1922 when the first artichoke shoots were planted in Castroville. Today, more than nine decades later, nearly 100 percent of America’s fresh artichoke supply is grown in California and nearly two-thirds is grown in the small town of Castroville.
The first Artichoke Festival was held in 1959 under the sponsorship of the Marinovich Marching Units, with the assistance of the Castroville Rod and Gun Club. In 1961 it was a joint venture of the Marinovich Marching Units and the Castroville Chamber of Commerce to produce a larger festival, and Sally DeSante was chosen as the first Artichoke Queen. In 1963, 1964 and 1965 it was solely sponsored by the Castroville Chamber of Commerce under the direction of the Artichoke Festival Board with Bill Price, one of the originators of the festival idea.
For many years now the Artichoke Festival has been an independent 501C3 nonprofit organization know as the Castroville Artichoke Festival, Inc. run by the board of directors.