Stockton Asparagus Festival

San Joaquin County’s most prestigious agricultural product inspired the creation of the Stockton Asparagus Festival 24 years ago. The Stockton Asparagus Festival is a three-day, multi-event, food, and entertainment festival, which celebrates asparagus.

The festival features two performing stages, an Asparagus Alley with the best deep fried asparagus found anywhere, one of the finest celebrity chef cooking demonstration kitchens, a fabulous Spear-Its of the Valley wine and beer pavilion, a craft show, 600 booths, displays and exhibits in the show.

It is ranked by some of the finest culinary critics in the country as one of the best food festivals in the West. That’s because Asparagus Alley offers delicious and unique dishes for all tastes.  Because the asparagus is grown locally, it’s the freshest you can get. In fact, much of the asparagus is cut fresh every day!

In 2008, over 45,000 pounds of delicious asparagus was enjoyed by all. From delicious deep-fried asparagus (45,000 orders), Asparagus Tri-tip Sandwiches (9,000 orders), Asparagus Burritos (4,000 orders), and pasta dishes (8,500 orders), to refreshing drinks and more, the Stockton Asparagus Festival offers bushels of different treats sure to please!  Click on this link for recipes you can use to make your own tasty treats with the bundle of asparagus you bring home.

Deep Fried Asparagus Eating Contest

My personal favorite event is the Deep-Fried Asparagus Eating Contest which will be Saturday at 12:00PM at the main stage.  Last year’s winner, Joey Chestnut, who downed 8.8 pounds of the culinary delight, will be spearheading this year’s competition in hopes of retaining his crown.

Great Spear It Run Stockton Asparagus Festival

On Sunday morning at 8:00AM the Kaiser Permanente sponsored Great Spear-It-Run will kick off the last day of the festival.  Might be a good time to work off some of those deep-fries asparagus calories from Saturday’s competition.  Click on this link for entry information for the run.

For more information click on this link to Stockton Asparagus Festival.

Stockton Asparagus Festival

On Sunday, April 26, 2009 from 10:00AM to 6:00PM at Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento, CA is the 18th Annual Festival de la Familia.  This year’s festival celebrates more than 20 Latino cultures all in one place, at one time, for one fun-filled day with no passport required.

There will be non-stop entertainment with a whole host of family friendly events.  Get your taste buds ready for some authentic Latin food while you tap your toes to some genuine Latin music.  You can view arts and crafts or create your own and learn about Latin heritage.  If it’s Latino you can find it at Festival de la Familia a celebration of families for all families.  More than 200 vendors are participating in this year’s event.  Tickets are only $6 and children 12 and under and seniors 60 and over are free.

Festival de la Familia 2009