Garlic Festival patrons who attend the 32nd annual Gilroy Garlic
Festival on Friday, and have a valid ID with a Gilroy address, will
receive a special discounted admission price of $12.
Garlic Festival patrons who attend the 32nd annual Gilroy Garlic Festival on Friday, and have a valid ID with a Gilroy address, will receive a special discounted admission price of $12.
The $5 off of the regular price is another piece in a series of efforts to emphasize and showcase the people who really make the festival happen, by giving locals less expensive access to all of it.
“We want to make sure that it is a local day,” volunteer festival president Greg Bozzo said. “We want to promote the idea that there are a lot of local businesses that support the Garlic Festival, there are all these local people that support the Garlic Festival, and we are showing everyone that it is locals’ day by giving a discount.”
There has always been an unwritten notion around town that Friday was a locals’ day, but never officially tabbed as such, Bozzo said. But this year, focus has shifted to the relationships and connections that are made between local businesses and attendees, and the importance of those interactions.
“It’s not only about the discount,” Bozzo added, “it’s about local food, music, cooks, and above all, the people.
“I’ve always been an advocate of local businesses and how important they are to a community event.”
Highlighting Friday’s musical entertainment itinerary are several local bands and performers, including Lucas Ohio and the Shamblers, Nate Pruitt, Black Water Station, Albert Marques and Friends, Five Minutes to Freedom and Den of Antiquity, among others on three stages.
“I tried to load up the Gazebo Stage,” entertainment director Rich Dellamaggiore said.
A special cook-off pitting Gilroy natives Dave Bozzo and Don DeLorenzo against Maurizio Cutrignelli of Morgan Hill, adds some flair and pizzazz to the Opening Day festivities, which will surely produce some mouthwatering delights.
“What we want to do is make sure that everyone in town has this ownership of the festival,” Bozzo said. “I am proud of all our local musicians and local chefs. The camaraderie is incredible.”
A maximum of two general admission tickets can be purchased at the gate Friday.
