Spam festival in California's Isleton: 'If you go to one, you'll be at the next one'

Angelaydet Rocha, The Record
·3 min read
Deviled green eggs and Spam made by Gina Renfroe and Tammy Hulme were entered for judging in the cooking contest at the 21st annual Spam Festival at Peter's Steakhouse in the Delta town of Isleton on Feb 17, 2019.
Deviled green eggs and Spam made by Gina Renfroe and Tammy Hulme were entered for judging in the cooking contest at the 21st annual Spam Festival at Peter's Steakhouse in the Delta town of Isleton on Feb 17, 2019.

A flood that left not much but cans of Spam is the inspiration behind a festival that the tiny city of Isleton has hosted since the late 1990s — and it continues to draw attention from fans and foodies.

“Twenty-six years ago actually there was a flood in Isleton and the only thing that was left after the water decreased was cans of Spam. So, instead of crying about it, we had a party about ... who can make the best Spam dish,” Paul Steele said.

Steele has been coordinating the festival for almost two decades. He has a prediction for anyone making their first trip to the festival. “It's a good time and if you go to one, you'll be at the next one."

Years ago, Isleton residents crowned him their third Spam King. He received the title after the first Spam king died and the second one had a stroke, Steele said.

“It's the title that the residents gave me. It’s not a job I asked for,” he said.

Still, he lives up to the moniker with gusto. People at the festival can spot him walking around in his Spam costume, which covers him head to toe.

Steele expects about 500 visitors this Sunday for the festival.

If you love Spam, this is the perfect place for you to be. Before making the drive to Isleton, which is along the Sacramento River, here are a few things to know.

Self-proclaimed "Spam King" Paul Steele takes a test of Spam fired rice at the 21st annual Spam Festival at Peter's Steakhouse in the Delta town of Isleton on Feb 17, 2019. In addition to a cookoff, there were Spam throwing and Spam eating contests. The contest began in 1997 when the tiny Delta town flooded, leaving only cans of Spam to cook.
Self-proclaimed "Spam King" Paul Steele takes a test of Spam fired rice at the 21st annual Spam Festival at Peter's Steakhouse in the Delta town of Isleton on Feb 17, 2019. In addition to a cookoff, there were Spam throwing and Spam eating contests. The contest began in 1997 when the tiny Delta town flooded, leaving only cans of Spam to cook.

How Isleton's Spam festival came to be

As The Reporter in Vacaville wrote about it, Isleton flooded during storms in 1996. Many families were displaced and had to take shelter at the Hotel del Rio. With little fresh food available and lots of Spam at hand, it inspired the start of the festival.

Over the years, the event has grown, attracting visitors from around the Bay Area, Napa, Sacramento and nearby cities. The meaty celebration is held in February.

This year’s festival will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday at Peter's Steakhouse, 203 2nd Street in Isleton.

Spam fried rice was entered by Irma Mora of Isleton in the cooking contest at the 21st annual Spam Festival at Peter's Steakhouse in the Delta town of Isleton on Feb 17, 2019. In addition to the cookoff, there were Spam throwing and Spam eating contests. The contest began in 1997 when the tiny Delta town flooded, leaving only cans of Spam to cook. CLIFFORD OTO/THE RECORD]

Spam cooking contest

Participants put their creativity to the test by cooking Spam dishes. You can find anything and everything from Spam ice cream to Spam sliders, Steele said.

Steele, 66, an Isleton resident originally from Utah, said his favorite Spam dish he has had at the festival is cheesecake.

The cooking contest will be judged by “appearance, taste, and originality.”

Cooks who want to compete for the best Spam pay a fee of $20. The competition starts at 10 a.m. with the judging at noon.

Tasting all the varieties of Spam dishes is $5.

Spam eating contest, Spam tossing contest

If you are into eating competitions, the festival has that, too. Entry is free. Participants will need to eat a full can of Spam with no hands and no water. Whoever finishes first wins. Just be sure you like Spam straight from the can.

If you just want to toss Spam, then a fee of $10 is all you have to pay to join the fun. Whoever drops the Spam last wins the tossing contest.

Those who take first, second and third place in the cooking, eating and tossing contests will receive a Spam trophy with their names on it. First-place winners will be added to the Spamley cup.

Where is Isleton?

The small Delta community boasts a population of about 800 right in Sacramento County. The area is about a half-hour drive northwest from Stockton. Get on Interstate 5 north and then take Highway 12 west.

If you go

When: 10 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 19

Where: Peter's Steakhouse, 203 2nd St. in Isleton

Admission: Entry free, cooking contest $20, Spam toss $10, $5 public sampling

Information: bit.ly/3YJ1EZf

Record reporter Angelaydet Rocha covers community news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at arocha@recordnet.com or on Twitter @AngelaydetRocha. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.

This article originally appeared on The Record: Spam festival in Isleton, California celebrates canned meat annually