The Gilroy Garlic Festival is now accepting online applications for the 2017 Miss Gilroy Garlic Festival Queen Pageant. Young ladies between the ages of 18 to 24 who live in Gilroy, Morgan Hill, San Martin, Hollister, San Juan Bautista or Aromas are eligible to enter.
The Miss Gilroy Garlic Festival Queen Pageant will be held May 13 at the Gilroy Gardens Amphitheater. Contestants are scored by a panel of five judges on personal interview, talent, garlic speech and on-stage question. The winner is crowned Miss Gilroy Garlic Festival 2017 and receives a $1,000 prize. The first runner-up receives $500, and second runner-up receives $250.
Contestants are also eligible for other awards, including the Christopher Ranch scholarship prizes of $7,500 for the Queen, $3,500 for first runner-up, $2,500 for second runner-up and $1,000 for each princess.
The Queen and her Court represent Gilroy at various festivities leading up to the Gilroy Garlic Festival, which will be held July 28-30 at Christmas Hill Park. They have the opportunity to make guest appearances in local print and electronic media, in parades and at fundraising events. Most importantly, they spend all three days at the festival having a garlicky good time with fellow lovers of the pungent bulb.
Interested contestants should apply online at gilroygarlicfestival.com/festival/miss-gilroy-garlic. Entries must be received by March 17.
For complete contest rules, visit gilroygarlicfestival.com or call (408) 842-1625.
