22nd Annual California Avocado Festival 2008
October 3, 4 & 5, 2008

A few facts about the California Avocado Festival:
This is the South Coast's largest free festival
The events are located in downtown Carpinteria on Linden Avenue
Park & Ride Shuttle Service available at Carpinteria High School on Foothill Rd. and Canalino Elementary School on Linden Ave.
There are three entertainment stages with over 40 acts
70 arts and crafts vendors will be participating
There will be over 30 fun food booths and over 30 commercial vendors

Description:
The Avocado Expo Tent offers an educational slant on the avocado industry, “Largest Avocado Contest” and "Best Dressed Avocado Contest”.

The Festival is home to the world's largest vat of guacamole amongst many other avocado & food dishes to pick from. Don’t miss the “Best Guacamole Contest” and Avocado Auction at the Avocado Performing Stage on Sunday at 8th Street. Stroll through the Arts & Crafts Venue between 8th and 6th Street on Saturday and Sunday or visit the Commercial Marketplace at the 900 block on Linden Ave. all three days.

Head to 7th Street for the Kid's Block Party. There will be lots of fun games, face painting and bouncers. Back by popular demand will be the Avocado Rock Climbing Wall.

The Festival has live entertainment on three stages to choose from. The Main Stage is located at 9th Street. The Seal Stage is located in front of Vons and the Avocado Performing Arts Stage is located at 8th Street.

History:
The idea of the California Avocado Festival began in 1986 at a meeting between community leaders Rob Godfrey, Connie Korbel, Debbie Murphy, Fran Puccinelli, Bob Ealee and John Franklin. A brainstorming meeting was called to create an ongoing weekend event that would benefit the fundraising efforts of the local non-profit groups. It seemed the plan would also help promote Carpinteria as a Southern California weekend getaway destination and boost our local economy.

Why avocados? Well, Santa Barbara County is the third largest avocado producer in North America, with Carpinteria being a major contributor. It seemed like a natural food festival in the making. Why have the Festival the first weekend in October? Oddly enough, statistics show that October is one of the sunniest months of the year with the least amount of rainfall.

And there it began...the California Avocado Festival. The festival has evolved into one of the largest in California with three days of fabulous food, terrific music, and great safe family fun.

As the Festival grows, so do the number of participants and festival-goers. This year over forty non-profit groups will benefit by catering to 100,000 avocado visitors. The California Avocado Festival itself is a non-profit group that generates it’s own operating revenue each year. The annual event is completely organized by a committee of volunteers, and includes one part-time staff person.

Contact person: Karen Gebhart, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email)

Address:

PO Box 146 Carpinteria, CA 93014