End of an era: Artichoke Festival in Monterey County canceled after 65 years

Yahoo

12-05-2025

After 65 years, the Artichoke Festival has been permanently canceled.
Citing increasing costs and "growing financial strain," the nonprofit board of directors announced the official closure of one of the Central Coast's iconic agricultural events on May 9.
"After 65 unforgettable years celebrating the region's agricultural heritage, artichoke royalty, and community spirit, the Artichoke Festival will not return in 2025," organizers stated in the media release.
"The decision, made after months of thoughtful consideration, stems from the growing financial strain caused by increasing event production costs, insurance premiums, permitting requirements, and operational challenges that have made it no longer feasible to continue."
The Artichoke Festival was long held in downtown Castroville "the artichoke capital of the world" before moving locations in recent years, including the Monterey County Fairgrounds and Event Center. This year's event was going to be held at the Monterey County Sheriff's Posse Grounds before the late-breaking announcement.
"Ending the festival is one of the most difficult decisions we've ever had to make,' festival board officials stated. 'But the financial realities we now face are insurmountable. We want to extend our deepest thanks to the sponsors, volunteers, vendors, growers, and loyal guests who made every festival possible. Your support sustained us for more than six decades.'
Executive director of the festival, Linda Scherer said the event has been a "labor of love" for the many people who have volunteered and taken part over the years.
"Watching it grow from a hometown celebration to a regional highlight has been one of the greatest honors of my life," Sherer said. "The memories we've made, the people we've touched, and the good we've done together will live on far beyond this decision. Thank you for letting us be part of your family traditions.'
Nearly 100% of artichokes from the United States are grown in California, with about two-thirds of them grown in Monterey County, the majority around Castroville.
In 2023, the county grew more than 3,000 acres of the crop, generating more than $37 million in value.
First brought to the Central Coast in the 1920s by Italian immigrant farmers, the artichoke thrived in the cool coastal temperatures and rich soil.
By 1926, nearly 12,000 acres were under cultivation across the state, primarily in Castroville.
Monterey County recognized artichokes as the county's official vegetable in 1986 and in 2013 artichokes were proclaimed to be California's official vegetable by Lieutenant Governor, Gavin Newsom.
California's first honorary Artichoke Queen was Norma Jean Mortenson, better known as Marilyn Monroe, in 1948. Castroville hosted the first Artichoke Festival in 1959 as a celebration of the region's artichoke harvest.
Over the years, the festival has expanded and evolved, welcoming celebrity chefs, local performers, food and crafts vendors and beer and wine tasting all the while showcasing the artichoke in a variety of dishes, whether they be fresh, fried, stuffed or grilled.
The Artichoke Festival also became a source of funding for local nonprofits, generating thousands of dollars over the years.
Organizers moved the location of the festival to the Monterey County Fairgrounds and Event Center from the streets of Castroville in 2013 as a cost-saving measure.
As the organization winds down, the board will take time to reflect on the best way to preserve the festival's legacy and continue supporting the agricultural community that inspired it.
'To the community of Castroville and the entire Monterey County region: thank you," continued the release. "You've helped make the Artichoke Festival more than an event—you made it a home.'
This article originally appeared on Salinas Californian: Artichoke Festival in California's Central Coast ends after 65 years