Calamari Festival Set for August in Santa Cruz

The 9th Annual International Calamari Festival will be held from Aug. 1 through Aug. 3 in Santa Cruz.

Along with its celebration of fine dining, the festival will feature the 9th Annual Squid Art Exhibit; calamari tasting room; calamari cooking classes, guest chefs; the calamari cabaret with music, comedy and dance; the one-stop squid shop, with mementos, such as the “Calamari Cookbook.”

Highlight of this year’s festival will be a Squid Row Fair, presenting Santa Cruz area children’s art and a children’s performance parade, plus musicians, magicians, comedians and clowns.

More than 80 different calamari dishes from 40 countries will be offered in addition to India Joze Restaurant’s extensive daily menu. Thirty-one days of festival events and entertainment can be enjoyed in the restaurant, garden patio and other public areas of the Santa Cruz Art Center, 1001 Center St., just off the mall in downtown Santa Cruz.