Child riding a dragon-themed roller coaster with a Ferris wheel in the background.
A child rides a rollercoaster during the San Joaquin Asparagus Festival at the Fairgrounds in Stockton, California on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Photo by Annie Barker/Stocktonia/CatchLight Local/Report for America)
Two people in cheerful vegetable costumes with cartoon faces standing outdoors on a sunny day.

Returning for another flavorful year, attendees were treated to a variety of food and activities at the San Joaquin Asparagus Festival.

An amusement train ride at an outdoor fair, with people seated in red and white train cars.
People ride on a train during the Asparagus San Joaquin Asparagus Festival at the Fairgrounds in Stockton, California on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Photo by Annie Barker/Stocktonia/CatchLight Local/Report for America)

An assortment of vendors offered traditional fair items like corn dogs, but added an asparagus flair. Popular food items included asparagus ice cream, deep fried asparagus ravioli, and deep fried asparagus.

A tray filled with toasted ravioli with a gloved hand adding more pieces using printed paper.
Women in green aprons serving ice cream with a smiling man beside them.
Deep fryer with food items being cooked in hot oil, person using tongs.
Left: Asparagus ravioli. Center: Left to right, Sierra Fischer, Jose Santoyo, and Emily Bruce scoop asparagus ice cream during the San Joaquin Asparagus Festival at the Fairgrounds in Stockton, California on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Photo by Annie Barker/Stocktonia/CatchLight Local/Report for America) Right: Fried Asparagus.

Patrons found a plethora of entertainment through a pageant, monster tuck rides, a car and model train show, blacksmithing demonstrations, carnival rides, live music and more.   

Three young people in a green ride car on a circular amusement park track.
Children smile on a ride during the San Joaquin Asparagus Festival at the Fairgrounds in Stockton, California on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Photo by Annie Barker/Stocktonia/CatchLight Local/Report for America)
Classic cars on display in an exhibition hall with visitors walking by.
Person using metal tongs to work with hot metal in a workshop.
Left: People look at lowrider cars People look at lowrider cars during the San Joaquin Asparagus Festival at the Fairgrounds in Stockton, California on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Photo by Annie Barker/Stocktonia/CatchLight Local/Report for America) Right: Charles Johnson demonstrates his blacksmithing skills with his daughter Sommer Johnson.
Three musicians performing on an outdoor stage, with a guitarist, drummer, and another guitarist under a canopy.
That Little Band performs during the Asparagus San Joaquin Asparagus Festival at the Fairgrounds in Stockton, California on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Photo by Annie Barker/Stocktonia/CatchLight Local/Report for America)
A man named Jack stands beside a model train set with buildings and trains.
A model train set with an orange locomotive on a track, surrounded by small-scale buildings including a green house and a yellow building.
Left: Jack Cherry poses for a photo near model trains during the San Joaquin Asparagus Festival at the Fairgrounds in Stockton, California on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Photo by Annie Barker/Stocktonia/CatchLight Local/Report for America) Right: A train runs on a track.