The food featured at the Castroville Festival displays the many and diverse ways by which one can prepare and use artichokes. At some booths, the Festival attendees have been able to get a taste of fried artichokes. At other booths, vendors have offered sautéed artichokes, grilled artichokes or marinated artichokes. If someone at the festival has wanted to try some pickled artichokes, they have found that food as well. Fresh artichokes have never been at a premium, and bowls of creamed artichoke soup have been available for purchase.

In addition to all of those varied artichoke dishes, those who have attended the Castroville Artichoke Festival have had a chance to sample the ethnic foods of that region. One important ethnic "food" of the area is a popular drink-wine. There has always been some sort of wine tasting at the Annual Artichoke Festival.

As the Festival-goers have strolled past the many vendors, they have heard many different kinds of music. Swing, Mariachi, Country music and 50's Rock and Roll have all drifted through the air of Castroville during the Artichoke Festival. On Sunday May 20th, those at the Artichoke Festival will have a special treat-a performance by William Hung. That former American Idol contestant has become known as "the Artichoke King."

While teens and pre-teens flock to the performance by Hung, their younger brothers and sisters will not be without some form of entertainment. Younger children at the Artichoke Festival have always enjoyed special events designed just for them. Those events have included games, face painting, clowns, stilt walkers and puppets, among other amusing treats.

Cooks at the Artichoke Festival do far more than taste the dishes made by other cooks. Cooks at the Festival typically attend one or more of the Festival's cooking demonstrations. In that way, cooks can learn about new ways to prepare and use artichokes.

An important part of the Castroville Artichoke Festival is the Classic Car show. Any car or truck built before 1972 can be an entry in the Car Show. In the past, the Car Show has contained hot rods, low riders, trucks and antique cars. Cars entered in the Car Show have been recognized for their paint, their body style, their upholstery, their engine, their interior and their chromework.

Other special events at the Castroville Artichoke Festival include an artichoke eating contest, a tour of an artichoke patch, a Farmer's Market, a parade and a different sort of art competition. The entries in the Festival art competition have always been three- dimensional, artificial fruits and vegetables.

In addition to all of the above surprises, the attendees at the Castroville Artichoke Festival have always been treated to a display of unique gifts. Many of those who go to the Festival leave with an armload of artichoke souvenirs.