The annual Artichoke Pageant, held in Monterey County since 1959, was canceled indefinitely on Friday by the pageant’s board of administrators.
The occasion was lengthy held in Castroville however moved to the Monterey County Fairgrounds, within the metropolis of Monterey, in 2014. It was scheduled to be held this 12 months in Salinas for the primary time, in June.
However organizers mentioned in a message on the pageant’s web site that the board decided the prices of placing on the pageant had been unsustainable.
“This decision, made after months of thoughtful consideration, stems from the growing financial strain caused by increasing event production costs, insurance premiums, permitting requirements, and operational challenges that have made it no longer feasible to continue,” the board’s assertion mentioned, calling it a tough determination.
The board thanked the numerous farmers, volunteers and guests who made the pageant potential annually.
The pageant’s govt director, Linda Scherer, referred to as the occasion a “labor of love” for individuals who invested their time and a focus into it for therefore a few years.
“Watching it grow from a hometown celebration to a regional highlight has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Scherer mentioned. “The memories we’ve made, the people we’ve touched, and the good we’ve done together will live on far beyond this decision. Thank you for letting us be part of your family traditions,” she mentioned.
The board mentioned it will ponder how greatest to protect the pageant’s legacy sooner or later and proceed to assist native agriculture ultimately.
The pageant started when Swiss Italian farmers who had made the crop ubiquitous in Monterey County deliberate to lift cash for the neighborhood, in keeping with the pageant’s web site. Organizers mentioned lots of of hundreds of {dollars} in charitable causes had been generated because the pageant’s inception.
The pageant featured artichoke choices like burritos and fried artichoke hearts, different meals choices, music and actions.
About two-thirds of artichokes consumed in the US are grown in Castroville, in keeping with the pageant’s organizers.
