August will be full of that and much more. The first weekend in August will kick off the month strong with both the Soul Food Festival and the California Garlic Festival.The African American Art and Culture Community Center (AAACCC) 14th Annual Soul Food Festival returns from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, August 5 at the Weber Point Events Center at 221 N Center in Stockton.
The "community event" will have everything from BBQ ribs to chicken and other soul food staples and more than 16 food vendors in attendance.
“This is our traditional food, but you know you only see this (during the) holidays. So, we just do it in the summer at one time and so it's fun and people love to eat,” said Theresa Saunders, founder of the African American Art and Culture Community Center.
There will also be a bar serving alcohol, she said.
Retailers, exhibitors and nonprofit organizations will also be there to offer some fun.
“We have a little bit of everything that's come from the culture,” Saunders said.
This year there will be no fashion show but music will take over with six bands playing throughout the day with headliner Claudette King daughter of B.B. King, Saunders said.
Entrance to the event is $15 in advance and $20 at the gate. Children 14 years and under enter free with a paying adult. Tickets can be purchased at 4122 N. El Dorado St in Stockton at The Gift Shop & Party Store.
The African American Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the event, Saunders said. She is still looking for more sponsors for the event.
“It's enjoyable food and it's all day eating," Saunders said.
For more information on the Soul Food Festival.
California Garlic Festival
The California Garlic Festival is back for a second year this August with a family-friendly two-day event from 12-7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5 and Sunday, Aug. 6.
Head over to the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds at 1658 S. Airport Way in Stockton for some Garlic Fries or Maple Brown Sugar Garlic Ice Cream.
"We started last year once we (had heard) that Gilroy was not having their garlic festival in full capacity," California Garlic Festival spokesperson Alan Sanchez said. "And the ownership of the San Joaquin Garlic Festival, the Noceti Family really wanted to support local businesses and local farmers that really use that event in Gilroy as a way to generate revenue."
The California Garlic Festival is an event by the Noceti Group, Inc. which also puts on the San Joaquin Asparagus Festival every year in Stockton.
"Garlic, family, and fun," is how Sanchez describes the festival.
At the Cali Garlic Alley you will find everything garlic from garlic french fries, garlic mushrooms and onion bread bowls to garlic pesto pasta.
There will be free interactive cooking demonstrations from local chefs that you do not want to miss like executive chef Kent Souza of Oddfellow's Tavern who will be cooking at 1:45 p.m. on Sunday at the cooking demonstration stage, Oddfellow Tavern announced on Facebook.
"Now that we have one year under our belt we are gonna add more garlic related items," Sanchez said
Aside from garlic dishes, a family-friendly petting zoo, the Show and Shine Car show, the Miss California Garlic Festival Scholarship Pageant & Princess Program, carnival rides, and more will also be part of the second California Garlic Festival.
An Inflatable Splash Zone with water slides to a Fun Zone with obstacles courses, a mechanical bull and more will all be part of the festival fun this year. This zone does requires tickets. Unlimited Inflatable Fun & Splash Zone Wristbands are available for purchase prior and during the event.
For those who love to capture moments through a lens there will also be a photography contest hosted at the Garlic Alley.
Even though the festival successfully run without any problems last year security has been increased for this years festival, Sanchez said.
"We want to make sure that everyone feels safe. We increased security by working with local police department and also a local private security company," Sanchez said. "Because we really want to make sure when people show up all they worry about is how much garlic they are going to eat."
Single day admission ticket prices are $15 adult, $10 children 6 years and over, free for seniors 65 and over and military with ID, and children 5 years old and under. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or online.
Parking is $10 per car.
"We want to let people know that this is San Joaquin's area own garlic festival. I think what people worry about is that we are trying to copy other festivals, we're not," Sanchez said. "We are just local farmers trying to support local farmers and local vendors."
For tickets or more information on the California Garlic Festival.
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