Thousands attend 33rd Avocado Festival including visitors from out of state

Gregory traveled from out of state just to attend the 33rd annual Avocado Festival for the very first time.

“I live in Colorado. I heard about the Avocado Festival, I flew over the Rockies and across the desert, I braved the crowds of LAX, and here I am at the Avocado Festival,” said Gregory.

He wasn’t sure what made him more excited to be on the central coast; the taste of avocados or the California sunshine.

“When I left my house in Colorado, it was 32 degrees. Now I get to look at the beach,” Gregory said.

Needless to say, there are plenty of avocados to enjoy along with the thousands of visitors who couldn’t get enough guacamole.

“Holy Guacamoly’s” Chris Bamber has been serving guacamole at the festival for 25 years. He shared his secret ingredients,

“A lot of love,” Bamber said.

KEYT’s John Palminteri emceed the avocado weight lifting contest and kept crowds laughing.

Avocado Festival president Gary Dobbins said community support is so important.

“Most of the nonprofits make money that last a whole year in budget. Last year we donated $100,000 to nonprofits. The community is replenishing supplies of revenue for basically a whole year,” Dobbins said.

In addition to avocado dishes, visitors enjoyed arts and crafts and music on four stages.

As for Gregory, so long as he’s at the Avocado Festival, he’s in no hurry to return home just yet.
“I want to know where the tortillas come from,” Gregory said.

Dobbins said between 80,000 and 100,000 people will visit the Avocado Festival in three days.

KEYT 2019