Monterey County Artichoke Festival Permanently Canceled After 65 Years

The annual Artichoke Festival, a Central Coast tradition since 1959, has been permanently canceled due to financial difficulties stemming from rising event production costs, insurance premiums, permitting requirements, and operational challenges. Originally held in Castroville, the festival moved to the Monterey County Fairgrounds in 2014 and was scheduled to debut in Salinas in 2025 before its cancellation. Festival organizers called the decision difficult but necessary, thanking the community, volunteers, sponsors, vendors, and growers for their decades of support. The festival was known for celebrating the artichoke, a crop for which Monterey County is a major producer, and had raised substantial charitable funds over the years. Executive Director Linda Scherer described the event as a labor of love, emphasizing the lasting memories and community impact it created. The board plans to explore ways to preserve the festival's legacy and continue supporting local agriculture in the future.