For 40 years, the San Joaquin Asparagus Festival has celebrated all things asparagus.
This weekend, asparagus ice cream, bacon-wrapped asparagus and deep-fried asparagus will return to the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds, at 1658 S. Airport Way in Stockton. The three-day event begins at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 24 and ends 6 p.m. Sunday, April 26.
“Each year, thousands of visitors gather to celebrate the region’s agricultural roots while enjoying one-of-a-kind asparagus-inspired cuisine and a wide variety of family-friendly attractions,” a news release states.
This year, a new food item will be added to the menu — deep-fried asparagus ravioli.
“Created by our local partners Silvio’s Catering and Asparaboss Julie Linesburgh, this brand-new dish celebrates one of the Delta’s greatest treasures, locally grown asparagus. Enjoy ravioli stuffed with tender asparagus, delicately seasoned and wrapped in fresh pasta. Each ravioli is fried to a crisp golden finish, creating the perfect contrast between a crunchy exterior and a velvety, flavorful filling inside,” a San Joaquin Asparagus Festival Facebook post states.
The ravioli is finished with a “drizzle” of lemon garlic aioli and a “sprinkle” of parmesan cheese, event organizers said.
According to the San Joaquin Asparagus Festival Facebook a “festival favorite” is also getting a new twist with the Asparagus Korean Corn Dog. This dish is by Deluxe Food Asian & American Cuisine.
Festival entertainment will include live music, carnival rides, a petting zoo, local vendors and the Miss San Joaquin Asparagus Festival Scholarship Pageant.
Single-day admission tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for children ages 6 to 17 years old, seniors 65 years old and over, and military with ID. Children five years old and under enter free. These prices are before online fees. Tickets can be purchased online on the San Joaquin Asparagus Festival website at sanjoaquinasparagusfestival.net.
Tickets are also available at participating Save Mart and Lucky supermarkets at a discount price of $12 for adults, $8 for children, seniors, and military, and $25 for Unlimited Carnival Ride Wristbands.
The festival hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
To learn more about the San Joaquin Asparagus Festival, visit sanjoaquinasparagusfestival.net.
Record reporter Angelaydet Rocha covers business and community news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at arocha@recordnet.com or on Twitter @AngelaydetRocha. To support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.
This article originally appeared on The Record: San Joaquin Asparagus Festival returns for 40th year with new menu item
Reporting by Angelaydet Rocha, The Stockton Record / The Record
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