Go Nuts in Old Town Clovis: Old Town Clovis' Annual Pistachio Party

Things were cracking at Old Town Clovis’ Annual Pistachio Party

Once a year, the Old Town Clovis Friday Night Farmer’s Market goes nuts for pistachios. Farmer’s market vendors made pistachio infused treats for the evening. Even local restaurants got in on the fun. For example, Bobby Salazar’s served pistachio Pico di Gallo with each order.

My five year old son to joined me. He was overjoyed, probably because I said the word “party”. When we arrived we saw antique cars lining the street. The car show displayed Model A’s and vintage cars in a rainbow of colors. He was basically in five year old boy heaven and we hadn’t even gotten to the free food samples.

We admired the cars and took pictures next to our favorites, and then we visited the beautiful stands of local farm fresh fruits and vegetables. I bought Thompson grapes because they are delicious.

I’m always tempted by the beautiful soaps and local honey. While I shopped around, I ate nectarine samples and cheese samples. One of my life mottos is to say “yes” to food samples. Another spot to find samples was the ITT Culinary Institute booth, where chefs demonstrated how pistachios can be included into all types of dishes. At this point in the evening, my son was starting to feel a bit like a trick or treater on Halloween, but with health food.

The American Pistachio Growers was the event sponsor. They shared garlic and onion seasoned pistachios, free baggies of pistachios and most importantly, a giant green pistachio. My son didn’t want to take a photo with the giant green nut, but I did. The security for the oversized pistachio mascot informed me that most grown-ups would rather take a selfie with the Pistachio van covered in photos of Olympic water polo players. Next year.

Taste our flavored pistachios here at the @OldTownClovis #PiatachioParty @PistachioPower pic.twitter.com/5R8TuzgsQh

— American Pistachios (@PistachioPower) October 1, 2016

We stopped at Scoops, Soup, and More, where I was unable to sample the pistachio flavored ice cream because my son was adamant about getting chocolate.

You can’t go wrong with a Pistachio Party. Since September has ended, the Friday night market is winding down for the year. You can still get your fresh and local food fix; many of the vendors will be selling at the Clovis Farmer’s Market on Saturday’s from 8-11:30 at Bullard and Pollasky Avenue.