“Carrotopia” takes root, brings more back to Holtville’s Carrot Festival
HOLTVILLE – The Holtville Chamber of Commerce transformed Holt Park into as “Carrotopia” as they kickedoff Holtville’s version of the Super Bowl, the 76th Annual Carrot Festival, Parade, and Street Fair.
While the Carrot Festival Midway Carnival officially opened on Thursday, February 9, according to the Holtville Chamber of Commerce website, Holtville Chamber of Commerce Executive Manager Rosie Allegranza said the real kick- off began on Friday, February 10, during the Carrot Festival Kickoff Concert.
“This Carrot Festival is our Super Bowl, and tonight is our kickoff for our Super Bowl with our beer garden and our Kick-off Concert, featuring the local band ‘ Pure Majik,’” Allegranza said in an interview on Friday.
Featuring classic rides like “Invasion,” ferris wheels, and a merry- go- round, Allegranza said the carnival will continue daily until Sunday, February 12, at 10 p. m.
In addition to the concert and the carnival, Allegranza said the Holtville Chamber will also host the annual parade, the annual Student Art Show, the Carrot Festival Mile & 5K Races, a street fair, and a school drumline competition.
Saturday contained the majority of the activity, Allegranza said, with the Carrot Festival Mile & 5K Races beginning at 7 a. m., followed closely by the start of the Street and Crafts Fair at 8 a. m. and running until 4 p. m.
The executive director said the Carrot Festival Parade was set to begin at 10 a. m. on Saturday, with the Student Art Show beginning later at 11 a. m., both also on Saturday. Finally, the Carrot Festival Midway Carnival and the School Drum Line Competition also occurred on Saturday, February 11, in Holtville.
Sunday morning will see the reopening of the Street and Crafts Fair at 10 a. m., which will run until dusk. The Carrot Festival Midway Carnival will reopen at 11 a. m., making this the first full- sized Carrot Festival since before the pandemic.
At least one attendee, El Centro resident Julio Rodriguez, said he noticed the difference in the size of the festival, commenting on it as they walked thought the carnival on Friday.
“I came last year, and it was really small … there is so much more to do this year,” he said.
“My buddies and I can’t wait for the concert tonight,” Rodriguez said.