The Stockton Asparagus Festival Board of Directors is already planning for the 29th Annual Festival in April 2014, under the leadership of new board president Leslie Snyder, Marketing Services with Delta Sierra Beverage.
This is Snyder’s second turn at the helm of the board of directors, having served in 2004 which was the first year the Festival was held at the Downtown waterfront location. In addition to serving as president, she is the Volunteer Committee chair recruiting and placing volunteers in various tasks that make the festival happen.
"In our 29th year of the Stockton Asparagus Festival,” says Snyder, “we are very excited to celebrate another milestone with our 11th festival in Downtown Stockton. Our downtown waterfront location has not only allowed us to grow the festival, but it has been the perfect location showcasing the potential of our waterfront events center.”
“We are not only proud of the millions of dollars we have given to community organizations over the last 29 years,” she continues, “but we are also proud of the overall economic impact of the Stockton Asparagus Festival and its value to so many local businesses and their employees. This event is truly positive publicity and a revenue generator for Stockton.”
Serving with Snyder during this year’s planning are board members: Immediate Past President, Wes Rhea, CEO of the Stockton Convention and Visitors Bureau,; President-Elect, Bob Harmon, Vice President/Loan Officer, F&M Bank; Wayne Hose, Retired Chief of Police; Jim Hulstrom, Retired Wells Fargo Bank; Marc Marchini, Chairman, California Asparagus Commission; Steve Moore, San Joaquin County Sheriff; John Reusche, President, Reusche Homes; C.P. Riddle, Retired National Guard Brigadier General; and Doug Wilhoit, CEO, Stockton Chamber of Commerce.
The number of non-profit organizations volunteering at the festival this year was 116 with some 5,000 volunteers who worked nearly 33,000 hours. This year’s contribution back to those local non-profits was $63,550. In the past 28 years over $6 million dollars has been contributed back to local charities directly from the Stockton Asparagus Festival.
The 2014 festival will be held April 25th, 26th and 27th. For more information, contact the festival office at 644-3740, or visit the website at www.asparagusfest.com.