Preparations underway for first Gilroy Garlic Festival since mass shooting

GILROY, Calif. (KION-TV) - Preparations are underway for the first Gilroy Garlic Festival since 2019’s mass shooting.

Sisters Rita and Josephine have lived in Gilroy for decades, and they volunteered at the festival each year until the shooting occurred.

“The garlic bulb loves Gilroy," said Josephine Donahue.

And the love goes both ways. But for the past five years, Gilroy has been without the main symbol of that love.

“It's been a tremendous loss, not only for people who enjoy volunteering and giving to their charities, but for the community at large. It was devastating,” Said Rita Gerusa.

The festival was obviously about celebrating the city and its bulbous calling card, but it’s also crucial for the local economy. Historically, it has raised close to $300,000 a year for schools and charities.

“Festival raised funds for a lot of charities in the surrounding area, including the migrant workers and underserved population. And that's what gave the city of gilroy pride in having the garlic festival," said Donahue.

The Garlic Festival Association said insurance rates went through the roof after the shooting, and now they’ve finally dropped back to a place where they can host the event again.

“The excitement of the community level has been unprecedented," said Association President Paul Nadeau.

And they’re picking up where they left off.

“This is really kind of a getting back to the roots. So a lot of the things that everybody is known and loved at the garlic festival is exactly what we're trying to bring back," he said.

The classic foods, garlic beer and garlic ice cream, live music, ats vendors and more.

But the one big change is location and size.

The new venue in Gilroy Gardens is a third of the size of the old one with just a tenth of the capacity.

“I’m very disappointed. And those 3000 tickets were sold out within the first week,” said Gerusa.

Lots of people couldn’t get tickets fast enough and ended up on the waitlist.

“I wanna go this year but it’s sold out. So if if I make the news or you guys see me, give me a ticket, get me in the garlic festival,” said Gilroy barber Cristian Mondragon.

Even if people aren’t able to go, some are expecting to feel the festival waft like the smell of garlic into the streets of downtown Gilroy.

“Gilroy’s stepping up. Downtown's cool. A lot of good locals. This friendly area. Garlic festival. Let's make it better than it was. Make it more safe, family friendly. And let's have a good time and keep growing together,” said Mondragon.

The Association wants to get back to the old location soon and begin welcoming the close to 100,000 visitors per year again.