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-Editorial
Holtville, California, doesn’t just grow carrots; it lives them. As the self-proclaimed “Carrot Capital of the World,” this city has built its entire identity around the orange root vegetable. That’s why the 79th Annual Carrot Festival on Feb. 7, drew residents and visitors to the city’s downtown for a full day of events celebrating the community’s agricultural heritage.
Since 1947, the city has hosted the Annual Carrot Festival, a ten-day celebration that transforms the quiet desert town into a vibrant hub of agricultural pride.
Holtville Chamber of Commerce President Stephanie Corfman said the annual Carrot Festival remains a point of pride for the entire community.
“We’re very, very proud of our event. It’s something the community definitely looks forward to, so every year we try to make it better and better,” Corfman said. “We make it an all-day event, starting with the 5K run in the morning, followed by the Carrot Parade, our drumline competition, which has become one of the most anticipated events on Saturday, and we wrap up the night with a mariachi festival. We really hope there’s something for everyone.”
A Holtville native who was born and raised in the city, Corfman said the festival holds personal meaning. “I remember being a little girl coming to the Carrot Festival, being in the parade, watching the vendors and the carnival. It’s a lot of fun, and I love being part of the organization that gets to continue this tradition for future generations.”
Organized by the Holtville Chamber of Commerce, the Carrot Festival ran from Jan. 23 through Feb. 8, 2026, under the theme “Hoppily Ever After.” The festival featured a mix of traditional and family-oriented activities, with Feb. 7 serving as one of the signature days.
The day began with craft and food booths opening at 8:30 a.m. along Holt Avenue and at Holt Park. The annual Carrot Festival Parade followed at 10 a.m., showcasing local schools, organizations, and community groups. Parade awards were presented immediately after the procession.
Other festival highlights throughout the two-week celebration included the Carrot Festival Coronation and Citizen of the Year Banquet on Jan. 23, a carnival midway operating from Feb. 5 to Feb. 8, and a kickoff concert on Feb. 6 along Holt Avenue.
