SeeCalifornia.com

Over 100,000 people pour into the Stockton Asparagus Festival to celebrate food, music, games and competitions, beverages and live entertainment. Asparagus Festival takes place April 27-29, 2012.

Asparagus is fine vegetable.  It is tall, slender, green and can be delicately-soft if picked, prepared and served right away.  You’ll find asparagus in all the finest restaurants, selected as a preferred gourmet accompaniment for fine cuts of fish or meats such as Fillet Mignon. In plate preparation, asparagus is used sparingly for accent and design as much as taste. Attractive asparagus does what broccoli, spinach and Brussel sprouts can’t pull off. With approx.  four days from farm to plate to serve & eat asparagus in its prime, the vegetable is even more desirable and special. (After four days asparagus becomes tough.)

About Asparagus:

• California is top producer of asparagus in U.S.
• Approx. 50% of nation’s asparagus comes from California.
• About one-third of California fresh-chilled asparagus is shipped by jet to China and other countries.
• Top counties in California where asparagus is grown include San Joaquin, Monterey, Fresno, San Benito, Merced, and San Benito. Imperial County also grows some asparagus.
• Stockton is located in San Joaquin County, one of the top producers of asparagus in the nation.

California Celebrates Asparagus:

• Annual Stockton Asparagus Festival April 27-29, 2012,  Ticket: $12 adult, asparagusfest.com
• Over 100,000 people attend
• Deep Fried Asparagus Eating Competition
• Chef of the Fest Competition with pro and amateur categories for asparagus dishes
• A food zone features all sorts of foods, and serves up thousands of pounds of deep fried asparagus
• A Spear-it Zone for adults offers cocktails and beer
• Three days of entertainment with bands on stages throughout plazas, parks and streets near Civic Center and the waterfront.