Garlic Festival

On July 29, 30, 31, 2011, the 33rd annual Gilroy, California Garlic Festival will take place. The festival is a celebration of food, fun and family. Last year, 10 tons of beef, 4 tons of pasta, 4 tons of calamari, 2 tons of scampi and 2 tons of fresh Christopher Ranch garlic were served at the festival raising $8.5 million for a local charity!

The festival offers many activities including a garlic cook-off. A call goes out for recipes in December. Then, the most delicious sounding recipes received are sent to a food consultant who prepares the recipes and narrows down the field to about 50 finalists. The finalists come to Gilroy to prepare their recipes on the Saturday of the festival in front of the public. By 12:15, celebrity judges pick their favorites. The winner of the Great Garlic Cook-Off is honored with a crown of garlic and goes home $1,000 richer. Second place is awarded $750; third, $500. The other finalists are given $100.00 each.

Miss Gilroy Garlic Festival Pageant is held each year at the festival. A panel of five judge on personal interview, talent, speech and evening gown. Young ladies between the ages of 18 - 24 and who live in Gilroy and a few surrounding towns are eligible to enter the competition. The Queen and her Court represent Gilroy at various festivities leading up to the Festival. They have the opportunity to make appearances in local print and at fundraising events.

A poster contest is held each year along with a wide variety of arts and crafts shown in the park setting of the festival. A special children's area is available, too. Entertainment and tons of food, with lots of garlic, are a big part of the festival.

Dr. Rudy Melone came up with the idea of celebrating the local harvest in 1978. He approached the Christopher Ranch with his festival idea. The Christopher Ranch is the largest shipper of garlic in the world! Together, they gave Gilroy the title of Garlic Capital of the World.

For more information, go to Gilroy Garlic Festival.

by Garden Maven Peg

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