Gilroy Garlic Festival changes format

Organizers have decided to go in a different route in celebrating the Gilroy Garlic Festival. The festival will scratch the old format of one event for a new format to focus on community, and garlic, of course. 

Moving forward, the festival will increase its focus on three foundations: community, sustainability and education. While the festival benefits nonprofits in Gilroy, it also supports amateur and commercial garlic growers throughout California, according to the association’s website. 

The festival was first held at Bloomfield Ranch in August of 1979. It became a unique  Gilroy experience, all in support of local nonprofits, the website said. It has raised more than $12 million for community groups and charities through the decades. 

Last year, the festival returned to its roots as a community event. In fact, it has become several events throughout the year.

“The events we are having this year are a golf tournament, an outdoor concert at a local winery and a farm-to-table dinner,” Jeff Speno, president of the Gilroy Garlic Festival, said. “There are two other organizations that have announced they are planning garlic-themed events. Neither of them have any connection with Gilroy, though.”

The association will host its second annual garlic golf classic June 24 at the Gilroy Golf Course.

The association will then host several acclaimed Nashville songwriters on July 13.   

“We feel the focus should be more on the local community. We want to create more of an agricultural event, getting back to our roots," Speno said. “There has been a lot of positive reaction to the return of the festival.”

Speno added that, for four decades, the heart of the Gilroy Garlic Festival Association’s mission has been centered around community, kindness and inspiration. Its historic mission to strengthen the bonds within the community remains an ongoing commitment.