In February the Artichoke Festival’s board of directors announced a new location for the event. On Friday, the same board put an end to the festival’s 65-year run.
Organizers cited the rising costs of insurance coverage, permits and event operations for the decision. According to the announcement issued Saturday morning, Executive Director Linda Scherer and the board agreed to shut down the event “after months of thoughtful consideration.” In a joint statement, board members noted that financial woes had become “insurmountable.”
The annual tribute to agriculture and all things artichoke was originally scheduled for the weekend of June 14-15 at the Monterey County Sheriff’s Posse Grounds near Salinas. It had been staged at Monterey County Fair & Event Center in Monterey since 2014 after decades as the Castroville Artichoke Festival.
The event began in 1959, becoming known for food trucks and chefs preparing artichokes in every feasible way, as well as its vendors, music, quilt shows and other activities. A nonprofit organization, the festival was able to raise around $30,000 a year for local charities.
Over the years, the festival spawned other events, such as golf tournaments, Halloween spook houses, a family fun run and a night of standup comedy under the catchy banner “Thistle Be Funny.”
The board will remain in place as it takes care of necessary accounting and reports. The organizers thanked volunteers, sponsors, vendors, farmers and the people who attended the festival over the decades.