Rachael Gallagher wears the crown as the 2026 Miss Gilroy Garlic Festival Queen, winning the distinction at the festival’s annual scholarship pageant on April 19.
Gallagher, 25, is a Gilroy native and a graduate of Gilroy High School’s Class of 2018, according to the Gilroy Garlic Festival Association. She went on to earn her bachelor of arts in health and human sciences from University of Southern California and her doctorate of occupational therapy from Tufts University in Boston.
She currently works as a pediatric occupational therapist, which feeds her passion to help children in the community build confidence, develop essential life skills and thrive in their daily lives, the association said.
Gallagher and her court will represent the Gilroy Garlic Festival at a series of pre-festival activities in the coming months, and during the three days of the festival July 24-26. And as Queen, she was awarded a $5,000 scholarship from Christopher Ranch.
Celeste Perales was selected as the pageant’s first runner-up and won a $3,000 scholarship. Kennedy Agnitsch was second runner-up, earning a $2,000 scholarship, a Garlic Festival Association spokesperson said. The remaining contestants, Rosalie Baker, Mireya Barton, Grace Longoria, Danica Lopez and Alyson Rizzi all received $1,000.
All scholarship funds were donated by longtime Gilroy Garlic Festival supporter Christopher Ranch.
“It was such a thrill to bring back this treasured community tradition after several years—and extra fun to hold the pageant as part of the National Garlic Day celebration at Gilroy Gardens,” said Queen Pageant Coordinator Sheena Link. “We are proud of all the contestants and excited for Queen Rachael and her court to represent the Gilroy Garlic Festival!”
More than 500 people attended the 2026 Gilroy Garlic Festival pageant, which took place at the Lakeside Amphitheater at Gilroy Gardens. The event was emceed by Ken Christopher, Executive Vice President at Christopher Ranch.
Pageant judges included Michael Horta, Lenore Ortega-Vargas, Kylie Kuwada, Kermit Schrock, and Kim Beckley.
More than $20,000 in scholarships prizes were awarded to this year’s contestants, according to the association.
The Gilroy Garlic Festival will take place at the Hecker Pass Outdoor Events Center.
