12/02/2025
Here are the bullet points from the Castroville Artichoke Festival Committee held on Tuesday, November 25th.
Castroville Artichoke Festival:
“Celebrating the Heart of the Community”
•Event Date: Saturday, September 5th
•Format: We are aiming for a "light version" this year with a full parade return targeted for 2027.
•Friday Night Dance, September 4th : We are planning a ticketed "Dinner Dance" fundraiser the night before. Casual, fun, great food, and a DJ.
•Key Updates
-Parking: We know this is a challenge. We are actively looking into grading the NCRPD lot behind the middle school and other locations for shuttle service.
-Partnerships: We want this to be a "borderless festival"—inviting all schools, non-profits, and community groups to participate.
-The main stage/entertainment will likely be located on the lawn (Natural Amphitheater) to utilize space and allow for blankets/hay bales.
-A landing page will be created for festival information.
-Focus on getting sponsorship from businesses
-Booth spaces will be available: food vendors, arts and crafts vendors, and information dissemination. Pricing to be determined for the various booth types
-The main stage/entertainment will likely be located on the lawn (Natural Amphitheater)
-Goal to have every school participate and compete (poems, food, artwork, vegetable sculptures). A scholarship fund is planned.
•We have broken down the planning into 7 Key Phases.
-Budget & Finance: Sponsorships and underwriting.
-Logistics & Permits: Handling the "nuts and bolts" of the site.
-Content & Engagement: Entertainment, Kid Zone, Cultural Booths.
-Revenue & Partnerships: Reaching out to local businesses (especially Commercial Parkway).
-Branding & Media: Developing the theme, PR, and our new landing page.
-People Power: Volunteer recruitment and safety.
-Ex*****on: Day-of operations and teardown.
Alex López
General Manager
North County Recreation & Park District
11261 Crane Street • P.O. Box 652 • Castroville, CA 95012
(831) 633-3084 ext. 1001
