First-ever Monterey Abalone Festival July 26 and July 27
Jeanette Bent
MONTEREY, Calif. (KION-TV) — On July 26 and 27, festival-goers can enjoy the first-ever Monterey Abalone Festival.
This event will take place at the Monterey Japanese American Citizens League Hall on 424 Adams Street in Monterey.
Organizers say that the event is to take a “deep dive” into exploring the history of this mollusca…
People attending the event can expect to hear from expert speakers, watch documentary films and live performances, as well as enjoy cultural demonstrations, a walking tour, abalone races and more.
The event runs between 10 a.m. And 5 p.m. on both days.
The tentative lineup of the event is as follows (subject to change):
Saturday, July 26, 2025
9:30 a.m. – Special Performance by the Monterey Taiko Drummers
10:00 a.m.
Tim Thomas: All Things AbaloneFilm: Eric Palmer – Monterey Abalone StoryLeslie Leaney – Historic Diving LeagueArt Seavey – Monterey Abalone Farm
12:00 p.m. – Lunch Break / Walking Tour1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Film: Morro Bay: Once the Abalone Capital of the WorldSandy Lydon – Chinese and Abalone
Monterey Lion Dance leads audience to Del Monte Beach for theRumsen Ohlone Community – Abalone Dance
7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
White Abalone Evening ProgramPanel Discussion + Two Film Premieres
Sunday, July 27, 2025
10:00 a.m.
Linda Yamane – The Rumsen Use of AbaloneFilm: Alexandria Firenzi – AbaloneGeoffery Dunn – George Sterling and the Abalone Song, The Abalone League12:00 p.m. – Lunch Break1:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Film: Brian Tissot – The Black Abalone and Abalone SongSteve Roebuck – Former Abalone Fisherman
Sandy Lydon – Wrap-Up
Roy Hattori Memorial Award PresentationZoom Conversation: Kaori Mizoguchi and Emiko – The Japanese-Monterey Connection
For more information, visit the event website at https://jaclmonterey.org/2025/06/28/abalone-festival/.