In 1959, the Central Coast community gathered to celebrate the harvest of the iconic vegetable and the region that became known as the “Artichoke Center of the World.”
Castroville, CA, April 05 , 2019 — In 1959, the Central Coast community gathered to celebrate the harvest of the iconic vegetable and the region that became known as the “Artichoke Center of the World.”
In June of this year, festivalgoers will gather again, this time to celebrate the 60th anniversary of what is now known as the Castroville Artichoke Food & Wine Festival, set for June 1-2, 2019, at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center in Monterey.
The festival not only celebrates the artichoke with dozens of delicious artichoke dishes, a beer, wine and spirits garden, chef demos, live entertainment, a kids zone, field tours and more, but has also became a primary source of funding for local non-profit groups that depend upon a successful event for their viability.
Open and free to all for both days of the Festival, Wild Science! by Imagination Gallery is hands-on fun with captivating STEM/STEAM displays and activities, for kids 1-101. Kids can take an excursion into the wild and amazing world of science through a plethora of interactive, fun, and visually captivating displays and activities. Families, adults, and children can experience the mysterious and entertaining aspects of science and technology in a fun and casual environment, through puzzles, hands-on displays, maker activities, and cool experiential demonstrations.
The Festival also has a full schedule of fantastic entertainment in two separate venues, the Main Stage and Family Stage. Enjoy live music and performances for the whole family on the Family Stage. Listen to some of your favorite local bands and hot tribute bands on the Main Stage, along with a scholarship presentation, Marilyn Monroe lookalike contest, artichoke-eating contest and artichoke canasta (harvesting) contest.
Bands performing on the Main Stage include the Chicano All Stars, Raise Your Glass tribute to Pink, Woodstock tribute to Jimi Hendrix, Maroon Vibes tribute to Maroon 5, and Purple Fox and the Heebie Jeebies. Entertainment is presented by KDON 102.5-FM.
Chicano All Stars
The Chicano All Stars Band is an extremely talented, dynamic and energetic all pro-musician band that plays Latin Rock, Rhythm & Blues, Old School and danceable Reggae. Lead vocalist Sam Martinez and lead guitarist and vocalist John Mallare, along with the polished horn section, create a sound that has made it one of the top Latin Rock bands in the area.T his dance band’s music appeals to a wide variety of audiences and will keep everyone dancing ‘til the music stops.
Raise Your Glass
Raise Your Glass (RYG) is quickly establishing itself as THE definitive Pink tribute show in the U.S. Based out of Los Angeles, CA, RYG has developed a growing fan base that includes a cross diversity of Pink aficionados as well as those who are captured by the group’s high-energy performances and quickly become Pink fans. Because of the multi-generational appeal and pop inclusiveness that defines Pink’s music, RYG brings a “Perfect Storm” trifecta to any event producer, high-end booking agent or corporate talent agency.
Woodstock
Sometimes a stroll down Hollywood Boulevard is a step back in time. To 1969, to be exact. It’s that way when Anthony Aquarius plugs in his battery-powered amplifiers, straps his electric guitar on upside down and belts out “Hey Joe” to startled passersby. Aquarius sounds like Jimi Hendrix. He looks like him too — right down to the lanky gait, bushy hair and flamboyantly colored clothes.
Maroon Vibes
Hailing as Northern California’s Premier Maroon 5 Tribute Band, Maroon Vibes, will grace the ears of Artichoke Festival attendees. Playing a variety of Maroon 5 hits including “This Love”, “She Will Be Loved”, and “Moves Like Jagger”, Maroon Vibes will have you dancing and singing along for their entire set.
Purple Fox and Heebie Jeebies
Purple Fox and the Heebie Jeebies is a Fun, Funky, upbeat Reggae, Rockin’ and Rollin’ Band based in Silicon Valley. Their sophomore album “The Something of Love”, won the Tillywig and the NAPPA Award for 2018, and is currently up for the Grammy nomination for the Best Children’s Album. A celebration of kindness and sharing,the songs bring kids and grownups together, an uplifting, meaningful, dynamic album for an instant Perfect Day. Upbeat Reggae tunes with catchy melodies, nostalgic horns, funky bass and sweet guitar solos.
A complete schedule of entertainment events can be found at: https://artichokefestival.org/entertainment-events/
For many years, 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. Now as a 501c3 organization, the purpose remains the same, with an emphasis on giving back to the local community.
Proceeds from the festival are used to support 501c3 community organizations and activities that align with the festivals mission.
Proceeds from the festival are used to support 501c3 community organizations and activities that align with the festivals mission. The following are the 2019 Artichoke Food & Wine Festival Donation Recipient Organizations:
Ag Against Hunger
Sun Street Center
North County Baseball
North County High School Golf
North Salinas Athletic Booster Club
Hope Horses & Kids
Marina Lions
Bikers for Bikes
Ashleigh Nicole Swain Memorial Scholarship
Ag History Project
Ord Terrace Elementary School
North County Wrestling Team
Monterey County Middle School
Golden State Elite
North County Recreation & Park
North County Bulldogs Cheer
North County Bulldogs
Monterey county Girls Basketball
Members of the current board of directors are:
Glenn Alameda
Stefani Cortopassi
David Delfino
Lynn Clark
Alex Gracia
Lionel Handel
Wes McClellan
Angie Micheli
Kathy Parish
Terry Bei Rohrs
Linda Scherer
Debbie Stadig
Kevin Tottino
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.
Advance tickets and discounted ticket packages are available online for the 60th annual festival at artichokefestival.org.
General admission is $15 for those 13 and older; seniors 62 and older and military personnel with ID are $10; children ages 6-12 are $5; general admission for one adult, with wine tasting pass, is $40 (must be 21 years or older); wine tasting alone is $30; and field tours are $10 (daily tour schedules to be announced at the Festival), good for adult or child 5-12. Online purchases are available through 9 a.m. June 2, 2019. No refunds.
Two discounted packages are also available, the Arti-Family Pack and the It’s A Date package. The former is $30, a $10 saving over the regular price. It includes two adult tickets and two children’s tickets, good for Saturday or Sunday. This early bird discount ends May 18, 2019, at 12 a.m. No refunds.
The It’s A Date package for 21 and older only, is $60, a savings of $20, includes two adult tickets and two wine and beer tasting tickets, good for Saturday or Sunday. This early bird discount also ends May 18, 2019, at 12 a.m. No refunds.
The Wine & Beer Garden is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Must be 21 to enter.
In addition to live entertainment, there will also be live chef demonstrations. All chef demos will be held on the Chef Demo Stage at the festival and are free with admission to the festival.
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. For more information, visit http://artichokefestival.org/.
Links:
https://artichokefestival.org/general-info/media/
Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
