SeeCalifornia.com

If you’ve been in the store lately you may have noticed the ripe, green asparagus. California is the leading asparagus-producing state in the U.S. The crop enjoys a 7 month harvesting period though most asparagus is cut from March to May. Even though the U.S. actually imports asparagus, approx. 17% of California asparagus is exported to Canada, Switzerland and Japan. Though asparagus grows in many regions of the state, California’s three main growing regions include the San Joaquin Valley, Central Coast, and Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.

Among those prime growing areas is Stockton, home to the Asparagus Festival taking place April 25-27, 2014.  The Great Spear-It Run with asparagus costume-clad participants is part of the fun at  the annual event which includes dozens of bands, wine tasting, beer gardens and the ever-popular Asparagus Alley.  In the “Alley” try some Deep Fried Asparagus, Asparagus Ice Cream (amazingly good), Asparagus Pasta, Asparagus Beef Burrito & Asparagus Beef Sandwich!  See: asparagusfest.com