Paso Robles locals and owners of We Olive, the market-leading brand for Extra Virgin Olive Oil, recently announced We Olive's participation as title sponsor for the 8th annual Paso Robles Olive Festival.

As lead sponsors of the festival and strong advocates of California olive growers, We Olive is working vigorously to shed light on the olive industry by bringing enhanced visibility to the festival, Paso Robles and the well over 50 participating California olive growers - as well as the fact that olives are becoming a dominant commercial crop in San Luis Obispo County. 

"We are passionate about raising the level of awareness about the health benefits and superior quality of California's high quality, artisan olive oils," said We Olive owner Frank Mercurio.  "And we are even more thrilled to be a part of the festival as we feel this is an incredible opportunity to promote California's growing olive industry." 

As the premier West Coast Olive Festival, the hugely successful event that attracts over 7,000 people annually, will take place at the Paso Robles Downtown City Park on Aug. 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will also be a Social Mixer held Aug. 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Sculpterra Winery featuring gourmet olive-inspired hors d'euvres, local wines and winners of the Olive Oil Tasting Competition. 

The Paso Robles Olive Festival introduces a forum to learn about the health benefits and culinary creativity of olives and olive oil by showcasing vendors both locally and outside the county featuring their products in addition to free olive oil tasting, tasting seminars, cooking demonstrations, and a head-to-head chef cook-off in the outdoor kitchen stadium.

Olive Festival Culinary Row will feature tastings by local wineries and breweries as well as attendance by the winners of We Olive's "Discover California Olive Oil" Recipe Contest.

Olive oil fans had the opportunity to win a trip to the Paso Robles Olive Festival by participating in the 1st annual "Discover California Olive Oil" recipe contest via Facebook and Weolive.com, a unique platform to uncover the very BEST California EVOO recipes in the state. The recipe contest ran through July 24 on the We Olive Facebook page and Weolive.com, and encouraged entrants to experiment and submit original recipes using their (California-only) oil-of-choice. The Grand Prize went to AJ Dale.

The Grand Prize package includes a two-night stay for two at Alta Cresta Olive Orchard Cottage B&B, admission to the 2011 Paso Robles Olive Festival and VIP Lounge, Olive Oil Sensory Class By The UC Davis Olive Center, an opportunity to attend the Olive Festival Grower Party in downtown Paso Roble, a Grower-Guided Olive Orchard Tour, a Paso Robles Wine Tasting Tour as well as a shopping spree. 

The Olive Festival is made possible by the Paso Robles Downtown Main Street Association, a nonprofit corporation established to restore, promote and enhance the economic vitality and unique historical value of downtown Paso Robles, the association is credited with coordinating the festival from the very beginning. For more information regarding the festival, including tickets to the social mixer, contact Paso Robles Main Street Association at (805) 238-4103, or visit www.pasoolivefestival.com.

Paso Robles Olive Festival has been showcasing olive and olive oil producers from all over California for the past 8 years. The festival features tastings of California olives and olive oil, wine and beer, chef competitions, art galleries, and gourmet food vendors. Each year the Paso Robles Olive Festival provides a culinary experience for the whole family. Wine tasting and gourmet hors d'euvres are available for purchase.

We Olive, "The Olive Oil Experience," is the nation's leading retailer of artisan California Extra Virgin Olive Oils, aged balsamic, mustards, pesto, tapenade and other gourmet foods that enhance the discovery of olive oil. At every We Olive store, guests can sample all items. Some We Olive stores offer wine tasting and tapas.