Today, for the 25th time, Gilroy will welcome garlic lovers from
around the world to its annual Garlic Festival. More than a few of
the upwards of 100,000 visitors flocking to the annual stinking
rose celebration will be from Morgan Hill and San Martin.
Today, for the 25th time, Gilroy will welcome garlic lovers from around the world to its annual Garlic Festival. More than a few of the upwards of 100,000 visitors flocking to the annual stinking rose celebration will be from Morgan Hill and San Martin.
We hope that you enjoy the food, fun and friendly faces Gilroy proudly displays the last weekend of every July. As you park your car, pass through the gates, buy your program, shop the vendor booths, visit the children’s area, eat garlic-laced delights, dance to the music and, yes, even as you toss your trash or visit a portable toilet, remember: None of it would be possible without the dedicated and amazing efforts of the 4,000 volunteers who put the festival together each year.
It’s quite incredible to realize that the world-class food festival is organized each year by a paid staff of only three people. Everyone else – an army of 4,000 – volunteers to direct traffic in the parking lot, peddle programs, sell pepper steak sandwiches, cook calamari, gather trash, put up booths, tear down booths, man information desks, book entertainment, run the festival pageant – and the list goes on … and on.
The genius of the festival – and one reason that so many people are willing to help each year – is that it gives back to the community. Each year, disbursements are made from festival proceeds to the community organization of each volunteer’s choice, based on the number of hours worked. Many of the booths and non-profit organizations have Morgan Hill and San Martin ties.
That means volunteers help Gilroy and the Garlic Festival that made it famous – and at the same time help their kids’ sports team, or their church, an arts group, or perhaps or a favorite charity. That’s another list that goes on and on – check it out in your festival program.
So, c’mon down to the silver anniversary Gilroy Garlic Festival. Thousands of volunteers have worked hard – many of them all year – to make it a garlic-lover’s paradise. You don’t want to miss the quarter-century anniversary bash.
And as you’re enjoying the entertaining and tasty results of the volunteers’ labors, take a moment to appreciate all their hard work. The Garlic Festival wouldn’t happen without them.
