Castroville Artichoke Festival - Monterey, California

The self-proclaimed Artichoke Center Of The World, Castroville has mounted this festival to celebrate its signature crop every May for more than half a century. (Its 1948 Artichoke Queen was a rising Hollywood starlet known as Marilyn Monroe.) The event, more formally known as the Castroville Artichoke Food and Wine Festival, features foods (many artichoke-based, of course), entertainment, wine and beer tasting, a parade, and artichoke field tours. There's even a competition for something called Agro Art, which is sculpture made out of fruits and vegetables, for those who truly love to play with their food.

If you go:
The event is held at the Monterey County Fairgrounds in nearby Monterey. Limited RV parking available. Overflow parking at Monterey Peninsula College. Children 3 and under admitted free. Separate admission for concerts.

artifest@att.net

Phone Numbers:

Castroville Festivals
+1 (831) 633-2465