Santa Maria Sun / News

Play with your food

BY FRANK GONZALES

On Oct. 13, the people of Guadalupe will once again be cabbage bowling at the third annual Salad Bowl Festival, which celebrates the city’s role as a major center for agriculture. In cabbage bowling, cabbages are rolled at pins, and live goats will be on-hand to clean up afterwards. Some of the other attractions include a salad dressing recipe competition, a farmers market, food, beer, and wine vendors, a car show, and healthy living information booths.

Admission is free and the event will take place along Highway 1, next to Veterans’ Memorial Plaza in Guadalupe. Cash rewards will be awarded to the winners of the salad dressing competition and the car show. The bands Electric Grease, Troker, and the Zongo All-Stars will play live music at the event. There will also be a display about the agricultural history of the area at the Guadalupe History Museum.

“The Salad Bowl Festival was established as a nonprofit event to honor the local agricultural community, the city of Guadalupe and the nutritionally rich crops that make a great salad,” said Veronica Forest, director of the event, in a press release.

In addition to the festivities on Oct. 13, a Friday night cruise will take place on Oct. 12 from 6 to 9 p.m. in anticipation of the Grease & Greens Car Show the following day. On Friday night there will also be a dinner and cocktails event called the Excellence in Agriculture Awards Celebration at 6 p.m. in Guadalupe’s Muse Buidling. The event honors individuals for their impact on the Central Coast agricultural community. This year, the honoree is Nicholas Tompkins of Apio Inc. and NKT Commercial. Tickets to this event cost $50 and the festivities include live music and food catered by The Swiss.

For additional information on all of these events, go to saladbowlfestival.com.

Intern Frank Gonzales compiled this week’s Community Corner. Send comments or ideas to the Sun via e-mail at intern@santamariasun.com.