Morro Bay avocado festival is getting a new name — and a new location
A Morro Bay festival known for celebrating two staples of Mexican cuisine — avocados and margaritas — is getting a new name and a new location.
The revamped Avocado and Margarita Food & Drink Festival is moving from the Embarcadero to Tidelands Park, a two-acre grassy area with picnic tables, a playground and aquatic-themed climbing sculptures. It’s located near the Embarcadero’s south end, just north of the public launch ramp.
In other words, it’s going “from pavement to the grass,” organizers said.
The event previously known as the Avocado and Margarita Street Festival is also expanding its calendar.
Instead of two days, this year’s festival will take place over three days: Sept. 9 through 11.
In store are hand-crafted margaritas, gourmet avocado dishes and a “swoon-worthy lineup of local San Luis Obispo County bands,” according to organizers.
Erica Crawford, president and CEO of the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce, said the festival’s new location should make it easier on attendees and area businesses.
“We don’t have to close any streets or put up fencing” along the Embarcadero, she said,
When festivalgoers check in at the park, they’ll receive wristbands that give them “in and out privileges,” Crawford said, enabling them to leave and re-enter as many times as they want. “We want people to enjoy the festival and our entire community, wandering around the Embarcadero and downtown.”
The Morro Bay Trolley, which costs $1 to ride, will be available to shuttle folks around town.
What’s in store at Morro Bay food and drink festival?
The schedule and the location aren’t the only new facets of the festival, which ran for 13 years in its previous iteration until it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
New events include a family-friendly picnic movie night and the Daou and Danior Dinner at the Boatyard, featuring wines from Daou Vineyards in Paso Robles and cuisine from Danior Catering in San Luis Obispo. Both take place on Sept. 9.
On Sept. 10, blues folk band Proxima Parada will perform at the base of Morro Rock, with Australian soul singer EJ Worland opening the show. Complimentary food and non-alcoholic drinks will be available at the Avenue Twelve Satellite Lounge.
A Morro Rock exercise event scheduled for Sept. 10 has been canceled, Crawford said.
The main festival takes place 3 to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 9, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 10 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 11.
Three-day festivals cost $60 each, while daily admission is $25 for Saturday or Sunday. Admission to Saturday’s Proxima Parada concert is $30, and the catered dinner on Friday night is $275 per person.
VIP tickets, which cost $175 apiece, provide access to all events except the Boatyard dinner, as well as a floating private lounge aboard the 50-foot-long, two-story Chablis riverboat. There will be complimentary food and non-alcoholic beverages available aboard the boat.
For more information, go to avomargfest.com
