CASTROVILLE, Calif. – (April 28, 2009) – The artichoke capital of the world, Castroville, Calif., will celebrate its 50th Annual Artichoke Festival May 16 and 17.

The residents of Castroville, a small coastal farming town located about 100 miles south of San Francisco, began celebrating the artichokes harvested in area fields with the first festival in 1959. As the country’s passion for artichokes grew, so did the festival’s roster of activities which now includes an art competition, musical entertainment, cooking demos, wine tastings, field tours, farmers market and an arts and craft fair.  

The festival is most noted for discovering Marilyn Monroe in 1963, when the festival crowned her (then known as Norma Jean) its first parade queen.

With headquarters located in the town of Castroville, Ocean Mist Farms is a proud sponsor of the annual festival tradition.  All events take place in downtown Castroville, for more festival information visit www.artichoke-festival.org.