Since 1986 the Stockton Asparagus Festival has been the premier event for the city.
Crowds of 90-100,000 people flocked to the festival for deep fried asparagus, asparagus pasta, asparagus burritos and sandwiches, and even asparagus ice cream.
But Festival Board Member Doug Wilhoit says expenses climbed and average crowds of 100,000 dropped dramatically.
"Last year was about 75,000 people, this year 55,000 so we lost about 50 percent over the two year period, that certainly hurts," Wilhoit says.
Stockton Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Wes Rhea says the Asparagus Festival was an important part of this city and its history.
"It's really defined us in many ways as our signature event since the 80's. It's a sad day for Stockton, but we should be proud of what we accomplished."
And what the festival accomplished was to raise over 6 million dollars for nonprofits and charities whose thousands of volunteers worked at the festival to make it succeed.
.@CapRadioIbarra: Asparagus Festival in Stockton calls it quits after 29 years. Check later for more info: http://t.co/Uw8jqIf7jt
— CapRadio News (@CapRadioNews) June 10, 2014
Asparagus Festival is finished, officials say. Follow @Recordnet for more. Doug Wilhoit meeting with us now. pic.twitter.com/4DPDf7Y2J7
— Mike Klocke (@Klocke_Record) June 10, 2014
Officials: Stockton Asparagus Festival done after 29 years http://t.co/5vwwuB8FuD
— kcranews (@kcranews) June 10, 2014
Asparagus Festival calls it quits. http://t.co/iYggbd6UfP #stockton via @CVBizJournal
— Stockton Buzz (@stocktonbuzz) June 10, 2014
Press Release - Asparagus Festival 6-10-14
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