2008 Woodie Awards
Rain no match for festival-goers
Despite foul weather, locals flock to Stockton's 20th Annual Asparagus Festival for food, festivities and fun
Karyn Gilbert
Issue date: 4/29/05 Section: News
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"We brought our rain jackets," Rosemary Crees of Lodi said. "We waited and came a little late, but we didn't quite hit the right weather, it was still raining," Crees' husband Richard added.
The annual event in Stockton attracted people from Manteca, Lodi, Livermore, Fairfield, and Modesto.
Crowds were entertained by Edie Lambert and John Alston from KCRA Channel 3 news, Martin Yan of "Yan Can Cook," long-time singer Chubby Checker, a small "band" named Petting Zoo, and numerous radio stations providing different styles of music.
Yan has come to the festivities for at least the last five years. He cooked live for the festivities in the Civic Auditorium, and gave out recipes for his Kung Pao Chicken.
"I love it. You're doing it for the whole family and they love it," said Yan. "This isn't all about food, it's about a family opportunity."
The kiddy area including rides like the Orbit, car, plane, and train rides, tiny cages in a merry-go-round, and a trampoline.
Carlos Castillo, 4, of Modesto, enjoyed his first Asparagus Festival, where his parents watched him jump sky-high.
"I jumped as high as the moon," Castillo said about the trampoline.
A break from the rainy sky gave people the chance to enjoy tunes from Checker, the King of the Twist.
"Being able to see Chubby Checker," Richard Crees said, was the best part of their five-hour day. "We got to dance, and it's been years since he's done that. He's amazing."
A small crowd circled the KCRA Channel 3 News team as they were gearing up to sign on for the 5 o'clock news. Lambert, joined by Alston set the scene for the rainy event.
In the middle of the vendor area, "Petting Zoo" emerged to give the asparagus-eating patrons a new sound, and they "banged." The group is made up of Adam Litke, Shawn Robbins, and Jack Walker. For more information go to www.bashtrash.com, and join them at the California State Fair.
During the three-day event, people from all over joined in to volunteer to take tickets, set up and fry the asparagus.
"It's fun. I've done the sapping, and dipped, but the frying they save for the professionals," joked Kris Anelal, a San Joaquin Association of Education Office professional.
"I did it twice last year, so I came back this year," said Leah Cleveland, also with SJAEOP. "It's for a good cause."
First-timer Amy Lowery, a teacher for Tracy School District, said she loves the variety.
"It's fantastic, and a lot of commodity," said Lowery. "You do something good for the community and there's a variety of jobs."
Even the high school students got into the action. Franklin High's International Baccalaureate (IB) sent over 47 students to work during the three-day event.
"It's fun and it reminds me of when I was a little girl," said Regina Prado.
Four-time attendee Heather Bird said her favorite thing each year is the fried asparagus. "I never fry it at home; I only bake it," said Bird, waiting in the elevator with two hands filled with fried asparagus. "It's the one time I can get it fried."