California Avocado Festival Underway in Carpinteria
The California Avocado Festival is underway in Carpinteria. Organizers say there will be three days of peace, love and guacamole.
It started as a small street party to celebrate the crop grown throughout the coastal valley. This weekend 100,000 people are expected to attend.
Festival President Leo Fortunado says it’s the biggest “free” festival in California that he is aware of.
Food vendors all have to include avocado as an ingredient or a side choice. They include the famous avocado ice cream from McConnell’s.
Carpinteria High School cheerleaders are also making the “world’s largest vat” of guacamole that will be served up in heaping scoops with chips.
Many organizations are non profit groups, and festival proceeds help Carpinteria charities.
The festival is also known for its music with over 70 bands scheduled on four stages. This year a special CD of festival music from past years has been made by producers Mike Dawson and Mike Lazaro, and will be for sale. It includes songs from Spencer the Gardener, Alastair Greene and Kirstin Candy.
Nearly all of Linden Ave. downtown is closed beginning at Carpinteria Ave. for the event.
It’s also a green festival and 100-percent of the trash is recycled or used as compost. By Sunday night when it ends, organizers say it will be a zero waste festival.
Slideshow: Sights from the California Avocado Festival in Carpinteria