Holtville Carrot Festival Feb. 3 - 12, 2012 holtvillechamber.org

Annual Event 65 Years in 2012

Holtville or "the Carrot Capital of the World", celebrates carrots each spring (usually in February) with the annual Carrot Festival. It includes a carnival, parade, carrot cook-offs, and the  Annual Dia de la Familia "Day of the Family", in Holt Park at 11am until the food is gone!

Carrot Festival's little and junior chef cook-offs  include recipes  carrot cheese and bacon dish or  chicken and carrot casserole. The competition is open to kindergarteners through fifth graders, and there are other divisions, including the competitive adult division for salad, vegetable and main dishes. The event takes place at Civic Center in Holtville.

In addition to the recipes, the festivities and fun, the city selects a Carrot Queen and court annually. In2011 Trudy Gaddis was crowned queen. The court represents the chamber at different events throughout the year, including many at the Carrot Festival.

Music festivals, Rotary Club barbecue in Holt Park, a crafts fair and other events are part of the nine days of celebrating.

Friday, February 4, 2011
6:30 p.m. -  Annual Chamber Of Commerce Banquet:
Featuring award of Citizen of the Year honors, and crowning of the 2011 Carrot Festival Queen, Princess and Junior Princess. 6:30 - 7 p.m. -  No-Host Cocktails. 7 - 8 p.m. -  Dinner. 8 - 9 p.m. -  Ceremonies and State of the City Address at I.V. Swiss Club. Tickets are $25.00 per person.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
2 p.m. -  2nd Annual Music Fest:
Hot Rods & Beer. Bands & Food Booths.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Holtville Rotary Club's "No Bones About It BBQ"
Get you BBQ plates for Super Bowl!

Monday, February 7, 2011
6 p.m.  Carrot Festival Cookery Contest
Little Chef's and Junior Chef/Miscellaneous Division. Youngsters are invited to try their hand at cooking with carrots. At the Civic Center. Cooking Contest sponsored by Soroptimist Club.

6 p.m. Carrot Festival Cookery Contest
Middle School and High School Divisions. At the Civic Center.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011
6 p.m. -  Carrot Festival Cookery Contest
Adult Salad, Vegetable and Main Dish Division. At the Civic Center.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011
6 p.m. -  Carrot Festival Cookery Contest
Adult Chef Breads, Desserts and Appetizer Divisions. At the Civic Center.


Thursday, February 10, 2011

3. & 6 p.m. -  Carrot Festival Cookery Contest
3 p.m. Senior Chef/Miscellaneous 6 Open Chef/Energy Saving and International Cuisine. At Civic the Center.

3 p.m. to 10 p.m. -  Carrot Festival Midway Carnival on Pine & 6th St.

Friday, February 11, 2011
3 p.m. to 11 p.m. -  Carrot Festival Midway Carnival on Pine & 6th St.

6 p.m. -  Carrot Festival Cookery Contest
Sweepstakes Finals cook-off. At the Civic Center.

Saturday, February 12, 2011
7 a.m. to 9 a.m. -  Carrot Festival Mile & 5 K Races
To be determined at a later date.

9 a.m. till dusk: Arts and Crafts Fair
Craft, food and other booths in Holt Park.

10 a.m. -  Carrot Festival Parade
Featuring school children, bands, floats, antique cars and tractors, equestrians, Citizen of the Year, 2011 Festival Queen, Princess, Junior Princess and runner-ups . The route is west on Fifth Street from Maple to Cedar.

11 a.m. to 4 p.m. -  Student Art Show
Open during the day at the Civic Center.

1 (approximate): Trophy Presentation
Parade honors awarded at Gazebo in Holt Park.

12 noon to 4 p.m. Antique Tractor and Car Show
Classic cars and antique tractors at Hot Rods & Beer.

12 noon to 11 p.m. -  Carrot Festival Midway Carnival on Pine & 6th St.

1 p.m. to 4 p.m. -  Entertainment in the Gazebo.

Sunday, February 13, 2011
11am –   Dia de la Familia Cook-off

9 a.m. till dusk: Arts and Crafts Fair
Arts & Craft booths in Holt Park & Pine Ave.

9 a.m.-1 p.m. Entertainment in the Gazebo.

Carrot Festival Midway Carnival on Pine & 6th St begins at 11 am.