The Castroville Artichoke Food & Wine Festival not only provides the community with a wealth of fun and learning every year, it gives back to the community through its dozen charity partners.

Castroville, CA, April 13, 2018 — The Castroville Artichoke Food & Wine Festival not only provides the community with a wealth of fun and learning every year, it gives back to the community through its dozen charity partners.

The 59th annual festival takes place June 2-3, 2018 at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center in Monterey and continues the legacy of celebrating the iconic artichoke and region known as the “Artichoke Center of the World.”

For almost six decades, the Artichoke Festival has been dedicated to informing and exciting festival attendees about the unique qualities of artichokes including farming, harvest, and preparation to demonstrate how the artichoke industry has influenced the history of Monterey County. And now, as a 501c3 organization, the purpose remains the same with an emphasis on giving back to the local community.

“We look forward to the Artichoke Festival each year because the event paints a clear picture of how this community comes together to support one another,” said Diana McClean, senior director of marketing at Ocean Mist Farms and board member for the Castroville Artichoke Food & Wine Festival. “The purpose of this organization aligns directly with Ocean Mist Farms’ values, which is part of the reason we enjoy sponsoring this annual event.”

Proceeds from the festival are used to support 501c3 community organizations and activities that align with the festival’s mission. The following are the 2018 Artichoke Food & Wine Festival Donation Recipient Organizations:

>Ashleigh Nicole Swain Memorial Scholarship Fund

This scholarship fund was set up in the memory of Castroville’s Ashleigh Nicole Swain, 16, a junior at North Monterey County High School, who died in a tragic car accident on Nov. 4, 2011. She was born January 18, 1995 in Salinas, to Jeremiah and Tobi Swain. She was a member of PAL at NMC, was talented in stained glass and jewelry making, and hoped to pursue a career in nursing. A page on Facebook was set up for her, In Loving Memory of Ashleigh Swain. https://www.facebook.com/In-Loving-Memory-of-Ashleigh-Swain-218362504897879/

>Bikers for Bikes

Founded in 2008 by motorcyclist Rick Jenkins and members of the West Coast/Monterey Bay Harley Davidson Owner’s Group, Bikers for Bikes provides 20-30 new bicycles a year to underprivileged youth. The group is also involved in a Turkey Trot to raise funds and buy turkeys for holiday meals, donates toys to kids during Christmas and participates in other charitable events. This is their third year with the festival. To donate to Bikers for Bikes, contact Rick Jenkins at 831-320-2956.

>North Monterey County High School Baseball

North County High School Baseball is heading in the right direction of its old traditions. NMC Baseball teaches young teens the core values of life through the game of baseball while pursuing greatness, sportsmanship and respect. North County has a rich tradition of athletes, who can play at the highest levels of baseball if given the opportunity and financial help they deserve. nmcusd.org

>North Monterey County High School Golf

Head Coach Tim Bearden heads the 2018 Condor Golf Team in Monterey Bay League action. nmcusd.org

>Marina Lions Club

The Marina Lions Club, established in 1984, is a small, but active club, part of Lions Clubs International, the world’s largest service club organization with more than 1.4 million members in approximately 46,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas around the world. One hundred percent of funds raised by the club goes back to the community. http://e-clubhouse.org/sites/marina_lionsca/

>Ord Terrace Elementary School

Ord Terrace Elementary School in Seaside provides a positive learning environment, establishes high expectations, and worsk collaboratively with each other, families, and the community to ensure all students achieve academic success and demonstrate social responsibility. https://ote-mpusd-ca.schoolloop.com/

>Agricultural History Project

The Agricultural History Project (AHP) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organization founded in 1986, and opened its doors to the public in May 2004. Its mission is to honor and promote knowledge about agriculture on the Central California Coast, both past and present. It does this through exhibits and interactive activities that help visitors experience daily life on farms and ranches on the Central Coast during the 1800’s and early 1900’s.

http://aghistoryproject.org

>Peacock Acres

Peacock Acres in Salinas provides supportive housing, intense case management, and life coaching for foster children and young adults who have been separated from their families. With high character and resolve, Peacock Acres youth are steered towards opportunities for healing and growth as they continue their journey toward a fulfilling, productive life.

peacockacres.org.

>North County Bulldogs

The North County Bulldogs play in the 12-team Monterey Bay Youth Football League in Midgets, Pee Wee and Jr. Pee Wee divisions. The league’s mission is to provide a positive outlet for the youth around the Monterey Bay and tri-county areas. The league strives to teach kids the sport of football and cheer and how to be productive citizens who are proud of their teams and the MBYFL.

http://montereybayyouthfootball.com/football/teams/north-county-bulldogs/

>North County Recreation & Park District

NCRPD is a Local Government Agency (Special District) providing recreation and parks services to the North Monterey County area, including the communities of Castroville, Moss Landing, Oak Hills and parts of Elkhorn and Prunedale, along with the surrounding rural community. NCRPD operates the North County Recreation Center, Cato-Phillips Park, Crane Street Park, Japanese School Park, Rancho Moro Cojo Park and the Moro Cojo Nature Trails. ncrpd.org

>Hope Horses & Kids

Hope, Horses & Kids serves as a resource for families, organizations and schools that utilizes authentic learning experiences to foster positive character and leadership development. HHK, a non-profit organization, is committed to positively impact the emotional, mental, behavioral and social challenges of individuals that are underserved or have special needs. www.hopehorseskids.org

For more information contact:

Diana McClean

dmcclean@oceanmist.com

(831) 770-6435

>North Monterey County Middle School Library

The library has been partnering with the festival for the past 25 years. Funds are used to buy books, computers, and whatever is needed for the library. And from time to time, funds have been used to gift students who are unable to afford graduation. nmcusd.org

About the Castroville Artichoke Food & Wine Festival

The Castroville Artichoke Food & Wine Festival began in 1959 and has since developed to become a harvest festival to celebrate the iconic artichoke and region known as the “Artichoke Center of the World.” The festival features family-fun events for all ages and has been a primary source of funding for local non-profit groups for many years.

Festival attendees enjoy several fresh artichoke food delicacies, a beer, wine and spirits garden, chef demos, live entertainment, field tours and more during the two-day festival. To support these events, the Artichoke Festival is encouraging individuals and organizations to volunteer their time to ensure another successful year.

For more information about giving back to the community through volunteering, please visit http://artichokefestival.org/general-info/volunteers/. For general information, visit http://artichokefestival.org/.

Contact:

Marci Bracco Cain

Chatterbox PR

Salinas, CA 93901

(831) 747-7455

http://artichokefestival.org/