Locals can enjoy a pasta dinner under the stars Saturday while
supporting the Gilroy middle school band program at the 6th Annual
Pasta Extravaganza.
Gilroy – Locals can enjoy a pasta dinner under the stars Saturday while supporting the Gilroy middle school band program at the 6th Annual Pasta Extravaganza.
The event draws as many as 850 people to the make-shift outdoor restaurant each year. Co-sponsored by the Gilroy Downtown Business Association and the Middle School Band Program, the 2004 event netted $5,000 shared by Brownell, South Valley and Solorsano middle schools.
“The big thing about the event is it’s served family style,” said Dave Peoples, owner of the Nimble Thimble and a member of the downtown business association. “You check in with the maitre’d station, are shown to your table with your place setting.”
Unlike a spaghetti feed, at this annual event, the middle school band members will work as waiters and servers for each table.
Other volunteers for the event include downtown business association members as well as community leaders. Peoples joked that diners might just be shown to their seat by a councilperson running for office.
Dinner will be served at 6:30pm and will feature three types of pasta – linguine with a red meat sauce, penne with a pesto sauce, and rotini in alfredo sauce – as well as salad and fruit punch. Wine and soft drinks will be available for an additional charge.
Though the cuisine is the draw of the evening, the “Pasta Extravaganza Table Decorating Challenge” is the highlight. Those interested in participating in the competition need to contact Peoples to reserve a table for eight, and the entry fee is $20 plus the cost of dinner tickets.
The winning table will be awarded a gift basket, and will be judged based on originality, theme, presentation and practicality.
Last year, one group showed up with sand and palm trees for the decorations, Peoples said, and he is looking forward to seeing what guests come up with this year.
“It’s just a chance to get together with your friends and neighbors,” Peoples said.
Downtown pasta extravaganza
Check in at Fifth and Monterey streets
5 to 10pm, dinner served 6:30 to 8pm
Tickets:
Adults $15, children younger than 12 $8
Available from middle school band members or at the Nimble Thimble, 55 W. 6th St., Gilroy at 842-6501, or contact the Gilroy Visitors Bureau.
