ALL BAGS SUBJECT TO SEARCH UPON ENTRY INTO THE ARTICHOKE FESTIVAL
To provide a safer environment for our fans, the Artichoke Festival has implemented a clear bag policy that limits the size and type of bags that may be brought into the Festival grounds. We strongly encourage fans to not bring any type of bags, but outlined below is what is permissible.
Click here to view the full policy, with approved and non-approved bags and an FAQ.
After a challenging two years filled with a lot of uncertainty, we share much joy in being able to share and celebrate the Artichoke Festival with our fans. Guests will not be asked to show proof of negative COVID-19 tests or vaccination status in advance or at the entrance gates.
While our event is held mostly outdoors which lowers the risk of exposure, currently in the week leading up to the Artichoke Festival, Monterey County’s Community Risk assessment is HIGH. Attendees may choose to mask at any time, and no one will be asked to remove their mask. Those with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask. Masking indoors is highly encouraged. We ask that all guests be prepared to follow public safety guidance posted at the event and on this website. Current CDC, California Dept of Public Health and Monterey County public health guidelines regarding COVID-19 protocols will be posted onsite at the event. The Artichoke Festival Committee encourages all guests to get fully vaccinated and maintain booster shots against COVID-19 as soon as they are eligible.
The Artichoke Festival admissions team will have masks available for guests passing through the Admissions gate who wish to have one.
To add yet another layer of protection for you and the community, it is strongly recommend attendees sign-up for CA Notify to receive alerts when you have been in close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19.
As always, we still recommend that those guests with weakened immunity should wear a mask regardless of vaccination status. Please stay home if you are sick or have been around anyone who has been sick. If you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in close contact with someone who tested positive or experienced COVID-19 symptoms in the last 14 days, we ask that you do not attend this event.
While no longer required, wearing masks when in a crowded situation or around those you do not know is strongly recommended. In general, people do not need to wear masks when outdoors. Monterey County encourages all residents to continue best safety practices to safeguard their health and the health of others, particularly as we hear reports of a new COVID-19 variant spreading. We encourage attendees to consider use of respirators (like KN94s, KN95s and N95s or surgical masks as the most effective mask option, especially if attendees are at risk for severe illness. Double masking is also an effective way to improve fit and filtration.
For the safest most efficient protection, Festival guests who bring their own face covering should avoid the following:
Numerous hand sanitizer stations will be placed throughout the Festival grounds. Guests, volunteers, vendors and staff are encouraged to sanitize and wash their hands frequently.
The Artichoke Festival highly encourages touchless admissions at the gate for 2022. Guests may use major credit cards and debit cards, and cash purchases are still allowed.
Concessions and Vendor Purchases
Concession stands will be available for guests to walk-up and purchase food and drink. Please observe all posted signage regarding safe food handling and queue management.
The Festival does not direct non-Festival owned vendors regarding the purchase of goods, however many, but not all of these vendors will be able to take debit or credit cards for purchases. ATM machines will be available for obtaining cash from debit/credit cards.
We ask that all guests be socially responsible and respectful of those who may have weakened immunity. If you or anyone you have been around are experiencing any of the following symptoms of COVID-19 as identified by the CDC at CDC.gov, please stay home:
We take security and safety at the Artichoke Festival seriously and hope you will help us in our collective effort in following all measures. Our security protocols, including the bag check policy and prohibited items list, were created to protect everyone, including guests, staff, volunteers, vendors, sponsors, and performing artists. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us make the Artichoke Festival the safest experience possible for everyone.
The following items are PROHIBITED on Festival grounds:
Parking
On-site, all-day parking will be available on Fairground Rd., (free, first come-first served), and in pay-to-park lots on either end of the Festival grounds. The East parking lot off Airport Rd., through Gate 8, is General Parking. The golf course lot, off Garden Rd. on the West end of the Festival grounds is Premium Parking. There will also be additional Premium Parking in the Arena, accessed through Gate 6 off Fairground Rd. VIP Pass and Sponsors’ vehicles will be directed to the West end golf course lot off Garden Rd.
A shuttle is available for Festival guests from the East parking lot (Gate 8) to an additional shuttle-only admissions booth at the back of the Festival grounds. Parking gates will open 30 minutes before the event. Parking passes can be purchased online or with cash. Find more info about parking and directions.
Entry Guidelines
Upon arrival, please be aware of posted signage and markers that have been displayed to help educate and prepare guests as they enter the Festival. All security lanes will be marked. At entry gates, Festival staff will share policies and request verbal acknowledgement prior to entry. Gates will open for guests at 10:00AM both days of the event.
Signage and Guidelines
Safety signage, including visual and verbal reminders of directional flow, safety, and guidelines, must be adhered to while visiting the Artichoke Festival. Failure to comply with posted or verbal guidelines may result in ejection from the Festival grounds.
Touchless Admissions Encouraged
The Artichoke Festival highly encourages touchless admissions at the gate for 2022. Guests may use major credit cards and debit cards. A cash-only line will be available for those who cannot use a debit or credit card.
Souvenirs
A Festival Souvenir booth will be open during the event for Festival guests.
Food and Beverage Concessions
Festival Concession Booths and other food vendors will be available for guests to walk up and purchase food and drink while maintaining physical distance at the event. The Festival does not direct non-Festival owned vendors regarding the purchase of goods, however many, but not all of these vendors will be able to take debit or credit cards for purchases. ATM machines will be available for obtaining cash from debit/credit cards. No cans or glass bottles will be allowed. Please note: due to California guidelines, all water fountains will be closed, please plan accordingly.
Festival Grounds Sanitization
Enhanced sanitization protocols are in place for the 2022 Artichoke Festival, including routinely sanitizing and cleaning high-traffic areas.
Festival Staff/Volunteers
Volunteer and staff are required to provide contact tracing information, and will be apprised of the latest safety and health guidelines prior to the start of the event.
Code of Conduct
The Artichoke Festival is a family-oriented event, and all who attend are expected to conduct themselves accordingly with respect and consideration toward each other. Those who cannot comply risk being removed for the remainder of the event. There will be no refunds to the guest for any such removal. The following activities or behaviors are prohibited:
The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has been declared a worldwide pandemic by the World Health Organization. COVID-19 is contagious. The virus is believed to spread from person-to-person contact and/or by contact with contaminated surfaces and objects, and even possibly in the air. Evidence has shown that COVID-19 can cause serious and potentially life threatening illness and even death. An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any place where people gather. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death.
By purchasing a ticket, you assume all risks, hazards, and dangers arising from or relating in any way to the risk of contracting COVID-19 or any other communicable disease or illness, or a bacteria, virus or other pathogen capable of causing a communicable disease or illness, whether occurring before, during, or after the event, however caused or contracted, and voluntarily waive all claims and potential claims against the City and County of Monterey, state of California, the Artichoke Festival Organizers, and their affiliated companies relating to such risks.
You expressly agree to comply with all Federal, State, and Local laws, ordinance, regulations, and the rules of the Event Organizers when attending the event.
CDC Guidelines
