As far as food festivals go, the Stockton Asparagus Festival is one of the biggies. More than 85,000 people flocked to last year’s event, and with great weather promised for this weekend, Stockton’s sure to attract asparagus aficionados from near and far. Join in a Great Spear-It fun run, shop hundreds of crafts and commercial vendors, let the kids loose on amusement rides, and dance to the likes of the Pete Escovedo Latin Jazz Orchestra, Loverboy, Blue Oyster Cult and Sha Na Na. Watch cooking demonstrations by Martin Yan and other celebrity chefs, and cheer on contestants at the deep-fried asparagus eating competition. And be sure to come hungry: At Asparagus Alley, food vendors will be transforming thousands and thousands of pounds of fresh, locally grown asparagus into pasta dishes, burritos, you name it. Asparagus margaritas, anyone? (Now that we’ve got to try.)
What: 25th Annual Stockton Asparagus Festival
When: Friday–Sunday (April 23–25) daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: Downtown Stockton along the waterfront—click here for directions, parking and public transit information
How much: $12 general; $7 seniors (60-plus), college students with ID and teens (11-17); free for children 10 and younger
