Garlic festival in Gilroy is an annual event that happens at the end of July. This was my first time attending it. About 2 hours drive from Fresno, Gilroy is a small town that you recognize by garlic scent, even if you don't have any sense of smell. I remember it always being overcast in the few times I passed through, but this weekend the sun was shining and it was really hot. The event was pretty well organized. Signs for parking lead all the way to the field parking lot where lots (and I mean LOTS) of people wearing bright shirts guide you with flags (as if you can't see them otherwise...) to the parking spot. Shuttle buses then transfer you to the actual event. The ride to the festival was short and air conditioned, something we got to appreciate on the way back after baking in the sun for several hours. At the entrance, security check purses and have a metal detector, a measure I learned to appreciate after living in Fresno. Maps were given out to direct people where to go.
At the festival, the selection of food was what you would expect from a garlic event - garlic fries, garlic calamari, free garlic ice cream, garlic (and not only...) beer, wine tasting, BBQ, some dessert, music, and cooking competitions. Because of the heat, we did not stay too long. I got to enjoy garlic calamari, overpriced, but delicious, and I was the only one who could taste garlic in garlic ice cream. I have strange friends, I guess :) We had to wait for a shuttle for quite a bit, but were given water as we entered the line - nice touch!
On the way back, we stopped at a local winery (Kirigin Cellars) and had a free tasting. Such a lovely and peaceful place, will certainly be back.
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