Marilyn Monroe was crowned California's first "Artichoke Queen" in 1948 in Castroville, 15 miles north of Monterey. We don't know exactly why she consented to the coronation, but we can guess that it had something to do with the fact that she was a starlet, eager for publicity. Or could she have been motivated by the supposed aphrodisiacal properties of the delicious vegetable? In any case, Castroville welcomed her happily. The town is the self-proclaimed "Artichoke Center of the World," launching production in 1922 and producing astonishing quantities today, aided by suitable soil and lovely summer fog. Castroville celebrates its artichoke festival in May of each year. (Photo: Marilyn Monroe, three years before she became the Artichoke Queen; photo from the now defunct Yank Magazine.)
1 comment:
she did it to get into the crowd at the el rey theatre in salinas. my uncle lawrence borg was the owner of the theatre at the time, and friends with Norma Jean .
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