When Nekdoodle® is not making a splash in the pool, they are likely to be found making a splash in the community! Nekdoodle’s next exhibition will be featured at the BIGGEST Asparagus Festival in the West. Be sure to invite your friends and family to join Nekdoodle® in celebrating spring’s first green vegetable in the valley at the 2016 San Joaquin Asparagus Festival San Joaquin Asparagus Festival from April 15th through the 17th.
With San Joaquin County being such an important part of the agriculture industry, the Asparagus Festival was created in 1985 by a small group of Stockton residents led by Gordon Medlin and Joe Travale, with the backing of Bank of Stockton President Robert Eberhardt. The first festival was held in 1986 at Oak Grove Regional Park along Eight Mile Road, and it soon became a staple in the San Joaquin valley. In 2003, it moved downtown along the waterfront and enjoyed huge success for many years.
In 2014, organizers announced that rising costs and declining attendance were putting an end to the festival after 29 years, but Carol and Tony Noceti of the Noceti Group, Inc. took over that summer, moving the festival from downtown to the fairgrounds. Last year, over ten tons of California grown asparagus were dished out, with the remaining donated to local charities. Additionally, the Nocetis gave back $150,000 to non-profit groups that volunteered and to the fairgrounds. Thanks to the Nocetis, and all of the community support, the festival was voted 2015 Best of San Joaquin.
This year, the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds is proud to hold the Asparagus Festival for the second year in a row, and the food and fun are expected to draw in close to 85,000 people. Visitors will be treated to a fantastic lineup of events and entertainment, cooking demonstrations, shopping, and fresh asparagus at all entrances and exits. Asparagus Alley will feature several more asparagus related dishes added to the already outstanding deep-fried asparagus and asparagus ice cream, such as: asparagus lumpia, pulled pork sandwich with asparagus slaw, asparagus chicken bowl, asparagus corn dogs and polish corn dogs, asparagus chili cheese fries, asparagus nachos, and bacon wrapped asparagus.
Aside from arguably the best food offered at any festival around, visitors can enjoy a Health and Wellness Fair, craft beer and wine pavilion, recipe contest, asparagus parade, Kids Zone with carnival rides and games, petting zoo, countless vendors, including Nekdoodle®, and much more!
With outstanding support from sponsors, vendors, and the community, the 31st Annual Asparagus Festival will fall nothing short of three full days of fun. Get ready to enjoy the fun, savor the food, catch up with old acquaintances, and make new friends and memories! Visit: San Joaquin Asparagus Festival for more information about admission, parking, and volunteering.