SALINAS, Calif. — The Salinas Valley Food and Wine Festival, a longtime staple in Old Town Salinas, has been canceled for 2025 due to mounting leadership struggles and financial constraints, according to event organizers.
Organizers cited a shortage of committed leadership and escalating production costs as key reasons behind the decision to cancel the event, which has served as a vital celebration of local food, wine, and community for over a decade.
“It’s disappointing,” said festival chair Joel Panzer. “But you just can’t put on a festival on a wing and a prayer and leave the organization in economic jeopardy.”
Frank Savino, co-founder of the festival, emphasized the difficulty in finding someone to take on the demanding role of event chair.
“Finding someone who wants to step in and be the owner of this festival is tough,” Savino said. “You give up your life for that—nine or ten months to pull this together while juggling a job and a family. It becomes very difficult to continue that commitment.”
In addition to the leadership gap, rising operational costs and a decline in sponsorships have placed further strain on the event. Panzer noted that last year’s ticket price increase—necessitated by budget pressures—resulted in approximately 300 unsold tickets, a stark contrast to three previous years of sellouts at lower prices.
The cancellation marks a significant pause for a festival that has long boosted local businesses, chefs, artisans, and winemakers throughout the Salinas Valley.
Community members expressed disappointment over the news. Leticia Rodriguez, a longtime attendee, said, “It’s unfortunate to hear, especially when it’s an event that a lot of people look forward to attending. It’s a great way to be out in our community, meet up with friends and family, and taste a lot of different wines from local vendors.”
Despite the setback, organizers maintain that the festival’s hiatus is temporary and necessary for a potential revival.
“It’s in a rebuilding process,” Savino said. “Not doing it this year gives us a year and four months to see if we can put it together for next year.”
While the 2025 edition of the Salinas Valley Food and Wine Festival has been shelved, organizers remain hopeful that with renewed leadership and support, the event can return stronger in the future.
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