Olives are placed in the sun on October 5th and 6th. Visitors to this year’s 21st Olive Fest at Mission San Jose will be joined by dozens of local artisans and fine food producers to celebrate the olive, an important California crop with roots dating back more than 200 years. You can meet suppliers.
A project of the Mission San Jose Chamber of Commerce, the festival was first held in 2001 and features live entertainment, arts and crafts, children’s activities, and more. This year, a new classic car exhibition has begun.
Chamber Director Sylvia Rodriguez said the festival’s main goal is to “promote small business artisan and community engagement,” which is in line with the chamber’s mission statement. It said its goals include “creating, strengthening and promoting business activity and promoting the progress of citizens.” and the preservation and perpetuation of Fremont’s historic Mission San Jose district. ”
It is expected that 500 to 600 people will visit each day. Proceeds from this event support the Chamber of Commerce’s annual Holiday Tree Lighting and Spring Art Mosaic Fair. “We expect more vendors this year than ever before,” said longtime board member Valerie Tavares.
Olives have been a staple of Mediterranean life for thousands of years, and oil was a major component of the trade of Greek and Roman civilizations. But olives are useful for more than just oil. Festival attendees can find handmade soaps, skin care products, candles, and olive wood products for the home.
Olives, which are technically a fruit, are grown in 41 countries, and while Italy is probably the country most associated with olive oil today, Spain is actually the largest producer. In the first quarter of 2023, approximately 167,000 tons were exported.
The Spanish are also responsible for the olive trees in the Bay Area today. The Spanish brought cuttings to Peru in the mid-16th century. Eventually, Franciscan friars brought the olive north when they established missions, and the first California tree was planted at Mission San Diego in 1769.
The olive grove at Mission San Jose, the site of this event, was already thriving when the Dominican nuns arrived in 1891. Decades ago, under the direction of Franciscan friars, the Ohlone people planted 334 trees. In 1894, the sisters began harvesting olives and processing oil. Today, about 200 trees remain, making it the largest remaining Mission Era olive tree in California.
The sisters still harvest their own olives with the help of local volunteers, but a partnership with the Shabica family of Modesto has eased the burden and expanded production. Since 2000, the Shabica family has been producing their own olive oil, vinegar, and food products, and pressing, storing, bottling, labeling, and delivering the Dominican Sisters’ olive oil.
Not only Sisters’ olive oil will be available, but also their famous honey. Sister Evangelista Grisese began keeping bees at Motherhouse in the 1930s. Today, bees not only produce the delicious and widely praised “Holy Honey,” they also help pollinate Mission Motherhouse’s 5,000-square-foot vegetable patch and community garden.
If you’ve never visited the Mission, don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate California history and a beautiful day in the olive groves. Please leave your pet at home.
entertainment lineup
Saturday, October 5th
10am to 5pm – DJ Alex
10am – Indian Dancer
11am – Taiko drums
12pm – People who achieve their dreams
1-3pm – Canyon Band.
Sunday, October 6th
10am to 5pm – DJ Alex
11am – 12pm – Indian Dancer
1-3pm – Canyon Band.
21st Annual Mission San Jose Olive Festival
October 5th (Sat) – October 6th (Sun)
10am to 5pm
mission san jose
43326 Mission Blvd., Fremont
(Behind the historic old mission)
Limited street and on-site parking
Free admission
