Gilroy Garlic Festival

Gilroy Garlic Festival mascot, 2010

The Gilroy Garlic Festival is one of the largest food festivals in the United States, held annually in Gilroy, California on the last full weekend in July at Christmas Hill Park. The 2013 Garlic Festival was held from July 26–28, 2013.[1]

Past festivals

The 31st festival ran from July 24 to July 26, 2009. 108,526 people attended, sampling such diverse creations as garlic flavored ice cream[2] and garlic french fries. Attendees also enjoy three stages full of musical entertainment, a Great Garlic Cook-off, celebrity cooking demonstrations, a garlic braiding workshop, a children's area, arts and crafts, and many interactive displays. A Miss Gilroy Garlic Festival Queen is also crowned yearly, chosen by a panel of five judges, based on her personal interview, talent, garlic speech and evening gown. Her court is also chosen, for the purpose of representing Gilroy at various festivities and "having a garlicy good time with fellow lovers of the pungent bulb." The 2012 Gilroy Garlic Festival Queen is Julia Brewka. Over 4,000 volunteers from more than 150 non-profit groups make the festival possible, and over three million people have reportedly come to the festival since it began.

History and purpose

The festival was founded in 1979 by Dr. Rudy Melone, Don Christopher, and Val Filice, and has been a fundraiser for local charities, raising a total of about nine million dollars for assorted causes. Individual groups and charities also run booths at the festival, raising additional funds for their causes. The Gilroy Garlic Festival Association is a non-profit organization that is intended to support non-profit groups and projects in Gilroy.

Images from the Gilroy Garlic Festival
garlic food varieties (2006)
garlic food varieties (2006) 
More garlic food choices (2006)
More garlic food choices (2006) 
Garlic themed T-shirts (2006)
Garlic themed T-shirts (2006) 
Visitors enjoy free samples of garlic ice cream (2007)
Visitors enjoy free samples of garlic ice cream (2007) 

See also

References

  1. ↑ "FAQ's & More". May 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-08.
  2. ↑ Vanilla ice cream is used as a base, with a subtle flavoring of garlic added.

Sources

External links