Asparagus Festival Returns to Stockton
It’s time for the San Joaquin Asparagus Festival once again in Stockton. With fantastic food and an amazing event lineup, it promises to be the best year yet. The festival runs from April 12th through the 14th at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds on Airport Way. Residents and people from all over the area flock to the fairgrounds for fun in the sun as well as nightly entertainment. There is something for everyone at the San Joaquin Asparagus Festival. The festival was started in 1985 with leadership from a group of Stockton residents. It has grown since then and become a spring ritual.
Asparagus-tastic
If you love asparagus, this festival is where you need to be. The number of asparagus dishes grows every year at the San Joaquin Asparagus Festival. Previous festivals fed 10 tons of asparagus to hungry visitors between just the asparagus ice cream and deep-fried asparagus alone. There are many choices to choose from. Here are a few to get your mouth watering:
- Asparagus dogs on a stick
- Chicken asparagus bowl
- Yummy asparagus chili cheese fries
- Asparagus nachos
- Veggie or chicken asparagus burritos
- Asparagus pasta
- Bacon-wrapped asparagus
- Steamed asparagus with garlic butter
- Crab and asparagus balls
Recipe Contest
A recipe contest allows those who have created a new and tasty dish to vie for the blue ribbon. There are four categories: Main, side, dessert, and preserves. The contest has three age divisions with participants under 12 in one category followed by contestants 13-18 and those over 19. There is a $50 award for best of the show, $20 for first place, $10 for second, and $5 for third. All recipes must use asparagus and be accompanied by a recipe card.
The Asparagus Cup Sprint Car Race
The second annual Asparagus Cup Sprint Car Race is scheduled for April 12th and 13th. A $10,000 prize will be awarded on Friday, followed by a $15,000 purse on Saturday night. There is a camping package available for those RVers who want to camp out on the fairgrounds. Last year, the cup winner was Australian James McFadden. The Stockton Dirt Track and the Noceti Group are hoping to make the Asparagus Cup even better this year.
Entertainment
No festival is complete without entertainment, and the San Joaquin Asparagus Festival means to please. The entertainment venue is as follows:
- April 12: Jeramy Norris and Dangerous Mood at 3:00 p.m.
- April 12: Violin on Fire at 4:30 p.m.
- April 12: Pablo Cruise at 6:30 p.m.
- April 13: Sky Kings at 3:00 p.m.
- April 13: Skynnyn Lynnyrd at 4:30 p.m.
- April 13: Moonshine Bandits at 6:30 p.m.
- April 14: Temecula Road at 3:00 p.m.
- April 14: Parmalee at 4:30 p.m.
- April 14: Joe Diffie at 6:30 p.m.
Activities
Activities include the following:
- Kids Zone
- Celebrity chef demonstrations
- Community stage
- BMX demo
- Health and Wellness Fair
- Carnival midway
- Craft booths
- Deep-fried asparagus eating contest
Times and Prices
The San Joaquin Asparagus Festival is open from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday. Prices for those 18-64 is $15. Youngsters 6 to 17, seniors over 64, and military personnel can get in for $12. Children under 5 are admitted free of charge. Parking is $6 for vehicles and $3 for motorcycles.
The gates at the Asparagus Festival Sprint Car Races open at 4:30 p.m. for grandstand seating. Racing begins at 6:00 p.m. Admission price for the Sprint Cup is $10 with children under five admitted free.
Safety
It is always important to be cautious when you venture out, no matter where you are going. Other visitors are often excited too and might not be paying attention when they drive or park. This can result in an accident. Remember, it is best to leave valuables at home, and leave for the festival early so you do not have to rush. Vendors are careful about keeping food within the accepted food safety temperature zone. However, on occasion, mistakes are made. If you are hurt, it is best to speak with an attorney to see if damages are recoverable. Most vendors and car owners carry insurance.
Amusement rides carry their own set of dangers. If regular maintenance is not performed or inspection results are inadequate, it can lead to an injury. Pedestrians can also be injured when walking through the parking lot or by tripping over hazards.
Stockton Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Stockton personal injury lawyer. If you are heading out for a day at the festival, enjoy yourself. In the event that an accident happens, you can reach out to me at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice. If it’s easier for you, contact me online at my website AutoAccident.com.
I’ve helped Stockton residents collect the compensation they deserve in all types of car accidents, wrongful deaths, and traumatic injuries.
I belong to both the Million Dollar Advocates and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel. The first inducts members who have won in excess of $1 million for a client. The second honors those lawyers who provide clients with legal excellence.
You can learn more about my practice on the following pages:
Photo Attribution: https://www.pexels.com/photo/girl-sitting-on-smiling-man-s-shoulder-1378866/
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