Port Hueneme, Calif. (September 6, 2018)–One of America’s favorite snacks, bananas, takes center stage at the 7th Annual Port of Hueneme Banana Festival, Saturday, September 29. The festival, with fun for all ages, is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Entry and parking are free.

Besides delicious festival food, many from local restaurant and vendors, festivalgoers can enjoy a number of tasty banana treats. They include banana and dulce de leche empanadas from the Empanada Factory, strawberry-banana margaritas from Frozen Sensations, chocolate-dipped frozen bananas, banana milkshakes and banana boats from Mister Softee, banana slushies from Rice Balls of Fire, banana split dots from Dippin’ Dots and banana splits and banana taffy from Taffy Tyme.

The Banana Festival attracts over 10,000 visitors each year. It features live bands, beer and margaritas, arts and crafts vendors and free kids’ crafts with banana-themed art projects and other free kids’ activities.

Pie Eating Contests. Two banana pie-eating contests will be held at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and are open to the public. A limited number of spots are available. Sign up to enter at the festival’s information booth.

Port Tours. Festivalgoers can get a behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of the Port with free water and land tours. The water tour, departing every 20 minutes beginning at 10:20 a.m., takes visitors around the Port and Naval Base Ventura County. Land tours are on the half hour starting at 10:30 a.m. Land tour participants ride in a comfortable motor coach. All tours are first come, first served, and minors must be accompanied by an adult. Visit the Port Tours Tent onsite at the festival to sign up.

Musical Lineup and Schedule.

11 a.m. – The Good Nothings

12:45 p.m. – Brandon Ragan Project

2:45 p.m. – Rhythm 805

4:30 p.m. – UnUsual Suspects

Port Pavilion. The Port of Hueneme is celebrating its 81st year of operation. It manages over $9 billion in cargo each year including more than 600,000 metric tons of bananas (making the Port of Hueneme one of the largest banana gateways in the country). Festivalgoers can learn about the port’s history, its customers, imports/exports and environmental contributions.

Chiquita & Del Monte (festival sponsors) import more than 30 million boxes of bananas annually, with a market value of $885 million. The port is the largest deep-water port between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Festivalgoers can learn about the port’s history, its customers, imports/exports and environmental contributions.

Donate. Bring a new or gently used school supplies, shoes, or clothing to help fill a shipping container. The items will be delivered to Guatemalan schoolchildren in need.

The Banana Festival is located at the Port of Hueneme, with the entrance at the corner of Surfside Drive and Market Street. Free parking is available at beach lots. For festival information, call 805-535-4060 or visit www.BananaPortFest.com.

Banana Fun Facts:

The banana is actually classified as a berry.

Most of the bananas Americans eat come from countries in Latin America and South America including Costa Rica, Ecuador, Colombia, Honduras, Panama and Guatemala. Hawaii is the only state that grows bananas commercially.

More than 100 billion bananas are eaten every year in the world, making it the fourth most popular agricultural product.

Americans eat an average of 27 pounds of bananas per person every year.

If you put a banana in the refrigerator, the peel will turn dark brown or black, but it won’t affect the banana inside.

Bananas are good for you. They are low in calories and have no fat, no sodium and no cholesterol. They contain vitamin C, potassium, fiber and vitamin B6.

Many food historians believe that the origin of the word “banana” comes from a language spoken in the Congo. 

Port of Hueneme Banana Festival

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