It’s five months from Gilroy Garlic Festival season, and five judges are on their way to picking the queen of the festival and her court this month in the garlic capital of the world.
Six young ladies between the ages of 17 and 22 are competing for queen – a role that will make one young woman an ambassador of the City and festival.
It’s a scholarship pageant, and contestants will be judged on personal interviews, a speech, talent and their evening gown.
Five judges – whose names will not be revealed until the day of the pageant – will select the winners. Typically there is a judge with a background in education, at least one person with farming, agriculture or garlic experience, at least one long-time Gilroy business owner and someone with a background in the arts, explained Pageant Chair Ariele Combs.
Gilroy Garlic Festival will award $1,000 to the final winner, Miss Gilroy Garlic Festival; $500 to the first runner-up; $250 to the second runner-up; a Past President’s Scholarship; and a Past Queen’s Scholarship. Christopher Ranch LLC will award $3,000 to the final winner, Miss Gilroy Garlic Festival; $2,000 to the First Runner-up; and $1,000 to the Second Runner-up. Other awards include the Franca Barsi Miss Gilroy Garlic 1986 Memorial Scholarship.
In previous years, queens have been asked to participate in the “Takko Garlic and Beef Festival” held in Gilroy’s sister city: Takko-Machi, Japan. This year’s queen will likely learn if a visit to Japan is on the books during the opening day of festival – as representatives of Gilroy’s sister city have historically made the invitation when they visit Gilroy’s garlic festival.
The Miss Gilroy Garlic Festival Pageant is scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday, March 29 at the Gavilan College Theater.
Here’s a glimpse of the potential queens and their work backgrounds, dreams and goals:
• Ashley Fellows, 22, is currently working as an Emergency Medical Technician in Hollister and attends West Valley College in Saratoga. She plans to further her education and become a flight nurse.
• Alexis Guiza, 21, graduated from Gavilan College with an Associates of Arts degree in Communications. She is currently working as a recreational leader for the City of Gilroy and plans to continue school so she can become a registered nutritionist.
• Vanessa Martinez, 21, is a graduate of cosmetology from Marinello School of Beauty. She will be attending Gavilan College to study business as she prepares to open her own salon.
• Teresa Bjornson, 19, is currently studying to become a nurse at San Jose State University. The Gilroy native graduated from Gilroy High School last year.
• Vanesa Fernandez, 17, is a senior at Christopher High School. She plans to attend Stanislaus state and earn a degree in criminal justice so that she can become a police officer.
• Brittney Souza, 17, is a senior at CHS. Brittney plans to attend Chapman University and major in peace studies and political science with an emphasis in international relations.
Purchase Garlic Festival pageant tickets
Tickets can be purchased for $15 at the festival office at 7473 Monterey St. or at the Gavilan College Theater at 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd. the day of the pageant. They can also be purchased from queen contestants.
