Central California is the agricultural haven of the U.S. Although most known for our vineyards, this area is also known for a plethora of other locally grown foods, including olives. That is why this weekend’s Olive Festival in Paso Robles is a special chance to honor our local olive farmers and olive oil producers! As your Central California real estate agent, I am here to fill you in on local event details.
Before the festival begins, an Olive Oil Contest Winners Breakfast will take place at the gazebo in Downtown City Park from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday morning. This costs $10 to attend and includes a continental breakfast. Call in advance to reserve your tickets. While enjoying breakfast, you can learn more about Paso’s olive oil industry and socialize with merchants, producers and industry experts.
The 11th Paso Robles Olive Festival is hosted by the Paso Robles Main Street Association. It takes place this Saturday, Aug. 16, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Downtown City Park.
At the fest, you can look forward to free olive oil tastings and olive product samplings from producers all over California, including Central California. There will also be a Culinary Row, where great food will be served, most of which incorporates olives into the dishes. If you’ve got your own delicious olive recipe, you can partake in the open olive dish cooking contest!
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Central California festival without wine and beer tasting. Wine tasting costs $15. There will also be vendors, art galleries and demonstrations throughout the day. A mobile olive oil press will be there for you to check out, too. You can even finish the day off right with free olive oil ice cream to satisfy your sweet tooth.
This event is family-friendly, so bring the kids! There will be plenty of entertainment at the fest for them, including a clown, sand painting, rock panting, olive branch wreath-making, jewelry making with beads, a bean bag toss, bag decorating, bug jar decorating and caterpillar tunnels for toddlers.
If the thought of the fest makes you want to start incorporating local olives or olive oil into your homemade dishes, check out all of the olive festival recipes available on the event website! These are sure to get you into fest mode.
Enjoy the olive-friendly weekend ahead in Paso Robles! When you’re ready to buy a Central California home, or sell your Central California home, contact me, your Central California real estate agent! I’d love to help you achieve your real estate goals this summer or fall.
From Grace Borzini
grace@oakshoresrealty.com