The Gilroy Garlic Festival has made a significant return, raising over $74,000 for local nonprofits in its first year back after a six-year hiatus. The festival, which took place in July 2023, welcomed around 9,000 visitors over three days, and organizers are eager to build on this success for next year’s event.
“This is the crowning jewel for our organization. This is what we do all of this for – is giving back,” said Paul Nadeau, the 2025 president of the Garlic Festival Association. He expressed optimism about increasing both attendance and the festival’s impact in the future.
Founded in 1978, the Garlic Festival grew from a modest luncheon to a celebrated event attracting approximately 100,000 attendees annually for nearly four decades. It became a hub for food enthusiasts and culinary artists eager to enjoy unique offerings such as garlic ice cream and pepper steak sandwiches. The festival was primarily run by around 4,000 volunteers and contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to more than a hundred charities and nonprofit organizations.
Tragically, the festival faced a devastating turn in 2019, when a gunman opened fire, resulting in the deaths of three individuals, including six-year-old Stephen Romero and thirteen-year-old Keyla Salazar. This incident led to the cancellation of the festival for several years, compounded by challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and rising insurance costs.
The festival’s return this year marked a hopeful revival for the community. With the funds raised, thirty-three volunteer groups benefited, including local baseball teams, church youth groups, and advocates for underprivileged youth. “I’m excited about the idea that the Garlic Festival is getting back to doing what it did well for so many years and that is supporting nonprofits in Gilroy,” stated Gilroy Mayor Greg Bozzo.
Over its 46-year history, the festival has raised over $12 million for local nonprofits and volunteer groups, averaging more than $250,000 each year. Although this year’s total is less than a third of its peak, the per-attendee contribution was notably higher due to the smaller crowd size.
Nadeau emphasized the aim of enhancing the festival’s quality rather than merely expanding its size. Plans for the next festival include incorporating more local organizations to help raise funds through sales at the event. Looking ahead, Nadeau and the Garlic Festival Association are targeting an attendance of around 15,000 for next year’s festival, with a gradual approach to growth.
“I believe they should grow it back slowly and sustainably,” said Bozzo, expressing optimism about the festival’s future. “I’m very optimistic that the Garlic Festival will be able to continue with this comeback story.” As the festival prepares for another chapter, the community eagerly anticipates a return to its vibrant and charitable roots.
