Calling all thistle enthusiasts: The California Artichoke Festival in Monterey is looking to crown this year’s queen and is seeking someone with a thorough knowledge of artichokes who knows the history of the annual festival, and who knows “the legacy of the first Artichoke Queen.”
The organization will award the first-place winner a $1,000 scholarship and a crate of artichokes. Second and third places get scholarships of $500 and $250 respectively and their own crates of artichokes.
“This esteemed competition celebrates young women who demonstrate academic excellence, community involvement, and a passion for the state’s favorite thistle, the artichoke,” organizers said in a release Saturday.
The competition is open to women ages 18-24 who are attending or have graduated from a college, university, or trade school with a minimum grade point average of 3.0.
The festival will be held June 8-9 in Monterey.