The inaugural San Benito Olive Festival is set for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Paicines Ranch.
Admission is $20, and tickets are available at sanbenitoolivefestival.com. Tickets may also be purchased in advance at three local businesses: Visions of Christmas in San Juan Bautista, San Benito Bene and Postal Graphics in Hollister. Organizers have said any proceeds would be allocated to local nonprofits.
“The idea for starting the festival” began in here, said Kathina Szeto, owner of San Benito Bene and one of the event organizers, while referencing her business.
She underscored that the community is full of “innovative citizens” who were wonderful artisans with goods to sell.
“Why don’t we have our own festival?” she recalled organizers of the first San Benito Olive Festival saying to themselves. She said the organizers were inspired by the Gilroy Garlic Festival, which celebrated its 35th event in July.
Award-winning olive oils will be sold at the olive festival as well as delicious artisanal foods, wines and chocolates – all locally grown and produced in San Benito County.
“It really is a spotlight on the rich history and rich bounty we have here in San Benito County,” said Kirk Hamrick, a volunteer and media spokesman for the festival. “We’re hoping we have a good turnout.”
Cooking demonstrations and live music will provide even more distractions for festival-goers.
Celebrity chefs Gene Sakahara, Sam Bozzo, “The Olive Guy” Don Landis and Matt Woolston will make an appearance. More local chefs, including Dorothy McNett and Maurizio Cutrignelli of Morgan Hill, will also be attending the event to share their culinary skills.
Local olive growers will show off their most scrumptious produce at the olive festival. Vineyards – such as Guerra Vineyards and Groves, Sons-of-Sicily, Pietra Santa, Oils of Paicines, Brigantino Olio de Oliva, and Belle Farms – will be there as well.
“We have an opportunity to give back to the community,” Szeto said.
And what would a San Benito County festival be without wine?
Calrea Wine, Casa de Fruta, Cetani Vineyards, Jayse Wines, Graveyard Vineyards Winery, Paraiso Vineyards and Guglielmo Winery will all serve there.
Other growers, including those who grow “super foods” that are rich in vitamins and other nutrients – such as tomatoes, olives, and blueberries – will also have booths at the festival. The local YMCA is leading the super food booths.
“With olive oil, being a multi-cultural and multi-generational item, it can bring people together,” Szeto said. She also said olive oil can be used to make other things, including soaps, lotions and dressings.
“We are so committed to supporting our own,” Szeto said.
