CLAY WALKER TO HEADLINE
2016 SAN JOAQUIN ASPARAGUS FESTIVAL
Tony & Carol Noceti from Noceti Group and the San Joaquin Asparagus Festival announced this morning that Clay Walker would be the headline entertainment for the 31st annual event taking place April 15, 16, and 17th at the San Joaquin Fairgrounds.
Walker is a multi-Platinum country music artist, East Texas native, and MS survivor that has been performing since 1993 accumulating 11 #1 singles along the way. Walker will perform Saturday night on the Kat Country Main Stage at 5:45pm and the concert is included in festival admission. Walker is one of many concert acts throughout the weekend with full entertainment lineups at www.SanJoaquinAsparagusFestival.net
The revival of the Asparagus Festival will continue its efforts towards supporting area non-profits and agriculture in the region. The 2015 edition attracted over 70,000 attendees with thousands of orders of asparagus and in excess of $150,000 raised for local charities. Asparagus Alley will once again feature deep fried asparagus and asparagus ice cream with plenty of indoor seating available.
This year's festival will have more asparagus than ever, with 12 different options available in the new Asparagus Plaza including the highly anticipated asparagus burrito. Fresh asparagus will be for sale at the gates allowing patrons to pick up a bundle on the way out of the event. An asparagus eating contest on Friday night and a weekend long asparagus recipe contest further the theme this year.
The overall scope of the event has grown to be larger than ever with a record number of vendors signing up for this great festival. Vendor space reservations are outpacing last year's numbers by a large percentage and are expected to sell out before gates open on Friday April 15th.
Attendees are encouraged to download the official Asparagus Festival app for their smartphone to view event maps and event schedules. A brand new scavenger hunt will also be offered through the app.
Once again the Asparagus Festival has partnered with the San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD) and Delta College, parking lots C1, C2 & C2. On Friday there is a parking fee, however it is free parking on Saturday & Sunday. Park and ride to the front gates of the Asparagus Festival. Routes and schedules will be available on both the RTD website and the asparagus festival app. Riders of RTD will receive $3 off of their entry into the event. Professional parking attendants have been hired to expedite parking and additional ticket windows will be open as well.
A second community stage has been added for more live and local entertainment mostly featuring the area's up and coming youth. Among the additions to the community stage lineup will be an extensive talent competition.
One of the bigger draws at this year's San Joaquin Asparagus Festival will be the Superheroes 5k Run/Walk which will take place Saturday morning at the event. Paid entry into the 5k also includes admission to the festival. A costume contest will take place during the run as well. The event is organized by the organizers behind Sacramento's Run to Feed the Hungry with more information at
www.superheroes5k.com
Celebrity Chef stage will be showcasing asparagus cooking demonstrations by Dr. BBQ and local chefs, Chef Michael Midgley, Chef John Surla, Chef Kevin Cabrera and more! Learn several delicious recipes and cooking tips as these renown chefs create asparagus dishes with locally grown asparagus!
The popular kids zone, country farm animals, port city roller girls, wild west gun fighter shows, midway games, and carnival rides return in 2016 as well.
The 2016 San Joaquin Asparagus Festival brings thousands of visitors to Stockton and to the valley. Gates will open at 10 a.m. each day of the event and runs until 8 p.m. SINGLE DAY ADMISSION PRICES: Adults (18-59): $10.00, Teens (13-17): $7.00, Children (6-12): $5.00, Children (5 & Under): FREE, Seniors (60 & older with I.D.): $7.00, College Students with I.D.: $7.00, Military with I.D.: $7.00. Parking is $6 per car.