About Us

Since 1959, the Monterey Peninsula has come together to celebrate California's official state vegetable. California's artichoke history began in 1922 when the first artichoke shoots were planted in Castroville. The annual Artichoke Festival began in Castroville as a harvest festival to celebrate the iconic artichoke. As a result, the festival became a primary source of funding for local non-profit groups that depend upon a successful event for their viability throughout the years. The organization recently attained 501(c)(3) non-profit status, and as the Artichoke Festival has grown in scope and footprint, so has it’s annual giving. Now that the event has moved to the Monterey County Fair & Event Center, the Festival Committee projects annual increases in cash and in-kind donations to non-profit groups focused on helping our community to thrive and grow.