Five women will battle to become the 31st Garlic Queen May 17
and one’s even bringing her saber. But that’s just for her talent
act.
Five women will battle to become the 31st Garlic Queen May 17 and one’s even bringing her saber. But that’s just for her talent act.
Garlic Queens pride themselves on their poise, charm and wit and will showcase these attributes before a panel of five judges at the 31st annual Miss Gilroy Garlic Festival Queen Pageant. The competition for the throne and numerous scholarships is just the beginning, however. The Queen’s year-long reign includes activities like presiding over the Gilroy Garlic Festival, participating in the Memorial Day and Fourth of July parades, and possibly a trip to Gilroy’s sister city, Takko-Machi, Japan.
To qualify, the contestants must be between the ages of 18 and 24, be single and have no children.
A panel of five judges comprised of various community members – whose names Chairwoman Cindy Fellows would not release prior to the pageant – will appraise the girls based on a one-on-one interview before the pageant, a public speech, their talent and their response to an on-stage question while wearing their evening gown. Their talents will range from a saber routine to tap dancing. The competition is a scholarship pageant, not a beauty contest, Fellows was careful to add.
2008 Garlic Queen Ariele Combs will hand off her crown to the girl that garners the most points. The winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship from the Garlic Festival Association. Runners up will receive scholarships of $500 and $250. The contestants also have a shot at various other scholarships, including the Founding Fathers, Past Presidents, Rotary, ConAgra Foods and Past Queen scholarships.
Contestants this year include Jessica Brewka, Julia Brewka, Toni Eves, Lauren Iwanaga and Tiffani Petersen.
Garlic Queen Pageant
What: 31th Annual Miss Gilroy Garlic Festival Queen Pageant
When: 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday, May 17
Where: Gavilan College Theater, 5055 Santa Teresa Boulevard
Tickets: $10, available at the Gilroy Garlic Festival Office, 7600 Monterey Street, Suite 140
Details: 842-1625
Contestants
Jessica Brewka,
University of San Francisco
Talent: Vocal performance
Speech: “Drill Sergeant Garlic”
Julia Brewka
Archbishop Mitty High School
Talent: Vocal performance
Speech: “Alice in Garlicland”
Toni Eves
West Valley Junior College
Talent: Tap Dance
Speech: “The Last Garlic”
Lauren Iwanaga
California Polytechnic State University graduate
Talent: Jazz Dance
Speech: “Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader? Garlic Festival Edition”
Tiffani Petersen
Gavilan College
Talent: Sabre routine
Speech: “Garlic Etiquette from Grandma”
