Even when Julian Aguillar was diagnosed with arthritis early
this year, he said he had no plans on missing out on the
festival.
”
In January, I couldn’t even pick my hands up,
”
he said.
”
I would’ve been here anyway, though.
”
Even when Julian Aguillar was diagnosed with arthritis early this year, he said he had no plans on missing out on the festival.
“In January, I couldn’t even pick my hands up,” he said. “I would’ve been here anyway, though.”
With all the jobs Aguillar has taken part in, he’s finally found the niche where he wants to stay, and that is working at the sponsorship hospitality area behind the cook-off stage where he has been for five … well, maybe six years.
“One year blends right into another,” he said when trying to remember how long he’d works at the hospitality area. “I’ll be here until they get rid of me.”
There’s one main reason that Aguillar keeps coming back.
“I enjoy working with people, really,” he said. “People are fantastic.”
The 65-year-old was born and raised in Gilroy and understands why the festival is so important to the community.
“It put us on the map, and this is a great place to live,” he said. “The best part is the money stays here.”
Speaking of money, Aguillar isn’t certain where he wants his to go. He worked at the hospitality area all three days of the festival.
“Whoever they want to give it to,” he said. “I’m partial to sports. This year, I haven’t decided. As long as it stays here, it doesn’t make a difference.”
Aguillar is a huge Gilroy sports fan. He once worked as a coach for the Gavilan football program when it won a national championship, and he was an umpire at all levels locally.
“I definitely still follow (Gilroy sports),” he said.
