AvoFest returns to Morro Bay’s Waterfront on September 12 for a full day of music, displays, games and gastric enjoyment. Photo by Dean Sullivan
The Estero Bay has attracted many life-experienced residents from afar willing to share their perspectives with those who grew up or relocated here. And, occasionally, I believe we need to come together to help create, promote and then support those unique events that intend to showcase our mutual paradise that we can all call home.
Mmmm-Mmmm good! AvoFest is back on the Waterfront! Let me entice you with a myriad of menus options to enjoy a locally grown Morro Bay avocado this Saturday! For breakfast, you might start with an Avocado Smash prepared on the griddle with jack cheese or an avocado cream-filled Beignet Pastry. Time for brunch? Try an Avocado Crepe with tomatoes and chicken topped with mozzarella or a Spinach Avocado with pesto, arugula, and pickled onions. Not there until noon? Discover the savory albacore tuna stuffed on top of an entire half of an avocado or BBQ stuffed avocados or avocado stuffed lobster salad then top off any avocado dish with yummy guacamole served up by the MBHS Softball Team.
Indeed, this Saturday numerous community volunteers have been working with the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce all year to enrich the City of Morro Bay’s economic vitality. A reinvigorated Avocado Margarita Street Festival 2026, nicknamed AvoFest, hopes everyone will enjoy a full day of music, displays, games and gastric enjoyment on the city’s waterfront Saturday, September 12 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
According to Lexy Jacobs, president of the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors, “It’s the perfect time to bring AvoFest back. Morro Bay has such a strong sense of community, and events like this give both locals and visitors a reason to come together, celebrate what makes our area unique, and support our local businesses. The Chamber is excited to see it return and appreciates the support of our sponsors and volunteer partners. We intend to bring energy and community pride back to Morro Bay!”m
Many changes to this historic event and the Chamber’s organization have been in development since the last festival in 2022, including the installation of its new CEO, Tina Clark, who accepted the position earlier this year. She explained, “The Board decided to bring back the festival as part of a broader strategic goal to expand the Morro Bay Chamber’s role in producing events that will support our local economy. Like many organizations, the Chamber needed to step back from events’ production during and after the pandemic. Now in 2026 both the Chamber and the City of Morro Bay believe community events can serve as economic drivers to bring visitors to local businesses and showcase what makes Morro Bay unique.”
After a review of the 2022 event, it was determined to limit the 2026 event to a single day and return to its original waterfront location. Clark said, “The board realized it was an ambitious effort to expand the event’s footprint even though it offered new opportunities for the attendees and vendors. Frankly, moving away from the Embarcadero actually reduced some of the direct economic benefits traditionally experienced by our waterfront businesses. And most importantly, we learned just how closely this festival’s identity is tied to Morro Bay’s waterfront.”
Clark shared another decision the group feels will be attractive to residents and visitors. Supported by a grant from Visit Morro Bay, the application will downsize the festival’s attendance to a limit of 6,000 although it once attracted over 10,000. The goal is quality over quantity in 2026 – offering the best possible experience for all.
Jacobs added, “As a business owner, I’ve seen firsthand how important events are to our community. They bring people into town, create energy throughout the waterfront and give our businesses an opportunity to connect with new customers.”
Returning to manage the festival is Kyle Flaherty, kyle@justuseventconsulting.com. She produced the Avocado Margarita Festivals 2015 through 2019. “One thing we gained during the pandemic was an appreciation for what was lost. Prior to COVID, we spent a lot of time learning to manage traffic, crowds, and all of the things a large event brings to a small town. Once a re-emergence of tourism and staycations returned to Morro Bay, the Chamber was asked by many of the businesses and community members to bring AvoFest back. We have even more local partnerships, which has made it feel very grassroots based again.”
Flaherty provided some highlights. “There are lots of kids’ activities. Ten and under are free so we hope this will become a family event. We have face painters, hair tinsel, drum lessons, magic shows, a musical petting zoo and a special Avo-Art projects for children.
“For adults we’ve created a specialty Avocado Margarita that includes an entire avocado in every Margarita. Most of our avocados are from Morro Creek Ranch and the majority of our vendors are local to Morro Bay or SLO County.”
She explained the music is continuous from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and there’s room to dance or sit and enjoy the sounds of B and the Hive, Resination, Hot Fire, Samba Loca, and the closing group is an area favorite, The Molly Ringwald Project.
Jacobs and Clark wanted to make sure the sponsors were thanked: Visit Morro Bay and The City of Morro Bay with support from numerous groups that will benefit financially from the festival. They include the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce, MBHS Softball Team, MBHS Art Club, MB Lions Club, MB Rotary, and the MB Active Adults.
Jacobs concluded, “AvoFest has such a long history in Morro Bay. Together September 12 we have an opportunity to bring it back in a fresh way while still honoring community traditions people still remember.”
Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door and can be purchased at https://avomargfest.ticketsauce.com/.
