WRAP UP | GILROY GARLIC FESTIVAL
For the Love of Garlic: Festival Draws 12,000 in Second Year Back
By the Gilroy Garlic Festival Association and Gilroy Morgan Hill TODAY
Marking its second year back after a five-year hiatus, the Gilroy Garlic Festival welcomed 12,000 attendees to the Hecker Pass Outdoor Events Center across the July 24 – 26 weekend. Daily attendance was capped at 4,000 guests, a 1,000-person daily increase over last year’ s inaugural comeback event, and was sold out for the entire weekend. The Gilroy Garlic Festival Association is intentionally taking a slow-growth strategy as they strive to find a sustainable size that balances a top-tier attendee experience with maximum charity distributions.
All Things Garlicky
Gourmet Alley favorites remained the main draw, featuring Scampi, Calamari, Pepper Steak Sandwiches, Sausage Sandwiches, Pasta con Pesto, Garlic Fries, and Garlic Bread. The Pyro Chefs kept the traditional spectacle alive, shouting“ Fire in the Hole!” as giant flames flashed over massive cooking pans. For younger kids, a Gourmet Alley Jr. booth offered Corn Dogs and Chicken Strips.
The Cooking Stage hosted live culinary demonstrations throughout the weekend from Ken Christopher, grandson of festival co-founder Don Christopher, Chef Carlos Pineda, Chef Diane Sturla, Chef Nico, Chef Hisham, Performance Food Group Chefs, and the“ Paisanos”. The Pyro Chefs also took to the Cooking Stage, sharing nearly 40-year Festival traditions. Chef Carlos pulled double duty as an emcee, along with Tom Cline, Rigo Vargas, and Luis Ramirez.
Images by Gilroy Morgan Hill TODAY
Traditions Old & New
2026 marked the official return of the Miss Gilroy Garlic Festival Queen and her royal court, who greeted attendees across all three days. Queen Rachael Gallagher— a Gilroy native, Gilroy High School graduate, and pediatric occupational therapist— was crowned on April 19( National Garlic Day) at the Lakeside Amphitheater at Gilroy Gardens. Gallagher re-established the festival’ s royal lineage that began when Kathleen Bedell, Gilroy’ s First Gilroy Garlic
2026 Garlic Festival President Alex Misa led his all-volunteer crew while hosting a sold out weekend and successful event;
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