Where Having "Garlic Breath" Isn't A Bad Thing
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After the circuitous ride down a makeshift road kicking up dust on bald fields, the first thing you notice in climbing off the bus is the smell. It is not an offensive or over powering scent, just one that is clearly present. But after all, this is the Gilroy Garlic Festival.
Considered one of America’s premiere food events, the festival -- now in its 28th year -- was started when local garlic growers pitched the idea to the town of Gilroy, California. No one expected much that first year. So when attendance far exceeded expectations, the pungent fest was born. In 2006, the Gilroy Garlic Festival is expected to draw 130,000 guests.
As soon as I arrived, I was on the lookout for the infamous -- and interesting-sounding -- garlic ice cream.
It didn’t take much searching to find it in the midst of the outdoor “food court” set up in the 
middle of Christmas Hill Park. The complimentary frozen treat even resembled a tiny bulb in both appearance and color as it perched atop miniature waffle cones. “Don’t you have a smaller serving?” one novice asked nervously. A young mother said her five-year-old had been eating the stuff for years and had developed a real fondness for its taste (judging by the way he was slurping it down, this statement seemed accurate). Now, the family was hoping to train their nine-month-old to acquire a similar palate. Upon nibbling on the soft-serve ice cream, there was no doubt garlic was a key ingredient, leaving a slight aftertaste. While I must say that it wasn’t entirely unpleasant (meaning if you go to the garlic festival, you should absolutely try this delicacy at least once), I won’t be seeking out garlic ice cream again any time soon.
My curiosity satisfied, I took in all the various ways that garlic had been prepared for the weekend’s festivities. It was a bit like Bubba’s rift on shrimp in the movie, Forrest Gump. “There is garlic bread and garlic artichokes and garlic French fries and garlic beer and garlic potato chips and garlic stir fry . . .”
While garlic consumption is certainly the order of the weekend, it is not the only thing to do at the festival. Two performance stages rotate music acts throughout the three-day event. Other strolling musicians entertain the crowd as they wait to enter the gates.
Crafters, artisans and anyone else with a tchotchke to sell seemed to be in attendance in the craft areas. (Two of my favorites were Ming Chu Gye’s pressed flower portraits which were simultaneously cheeky and beautiful, and Tylene Trout‘s lovely landscape photos). And the “Garlic Merchantile” tents take garlic paraphernalia to new heights with garlic-themed bobble head dolls, beanie babies, magnets, serving dishes and toothpick holders; items to be used in the preparation of garlic such as presses and roasters; and assorted cookbooks and aprons featuring garlic.
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There were also plenty of interesting photos to be taken. Most notable are the garlic “torch,” (shown above) that displays a running tally of the dollars given to area charities. Other attendees prefer to have their picture taken with unofficial goodwill ambassador “Mr. Garlic,” local resident Gerry Foisy (shown at top). A lively character, Foisy has been dressing as a life-sized garlic bulb for the past 19 years. Also offering a photo op are the more traditional Garlic Queen and her court (below).
Just The Facts
The festival is held on a Friday – Sunday in July of every year at Christmas Hill Park in Gilroy, California (30 minutes south of San Jose). Hours are 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; gates close at 6 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults, $6 for seniors and children 5-12 and free for children under 12.
Guests park in two fields turned into makeshift parking lots – the green lot and the yellow lot – and then are bused to the festival’s front gate. Make note of which lot you are parked in (a color and letter designation) because they are situated on different sides of the mountain and buses do not visit both lots.
Contact information: Gilroy Garlic Festival
408.842.1625
Why Is This One Special?
Some of the food is really great -- if you love garlic, you won’t be disappointed by the seemingly endless ways in which it has been prepared. The arts-and-crafts areas are also nicely done, with a wide assortment of items to buy. And best of all, the proceeds are for a good cause – Over $7 million has been donated to charity over the last 27 years.
Things To Know
Tickets can be purchased in advance on line. If you don't want to have to wait in line, this is the way to go (online tickets are accepted at their own special gate). To provide perspective, of the 130,000 attendees expected this year, only 1,900 purchased their tickets online.
