The Garlic City Fun Run Saturday promises to be a celebration of
cars, food and music. And it’s a boom to downtown business.
Dave Peoples, who has worked the event since it was started,
says that the event typically attracts hundreds of custom and
classic cars that are pre-1969. He estimates the eighth annual
event will draw a crowd of 5,000 to 7,000 people.
The Garlic City Fun Run Saturday promises to be a celebration of cars, food and music. And it’s a boom to downtown business.
Dave Peoples, who has worked the event since it was started, says that the event typically attracts hundreds of custom and classic cars that are pre-1969. He estimates the eighth annual event will draw a crowd of 5,000 to 7,000 people.
Carl Swank, a founding member of South Valley Street Rods, estimates a turn out of 350 cars or more. He plans to enter his 1929 Ford Sedan Delivery. His wife will enter her 1939 Ford. Also the owner of Gilroy Tire and Brake, Swank will run a National Street Rod Association safety inspection team. This will be the second year the team has inspected cars without cost. The team looks at cars and asks such questions as “are they safe?” Swank said.
The car show costs about $19,000 to run, but admission is free, Swank said. Raffle tickets and entry fees from cars help cover costs. Swank said the best part of the show is not the cars ” it’s the whole show – the fellowship.”
Unlike most car shows, the Garlic City Fun Run is an early evening event with live outdoor music.
Bands play throughout the day including Hot Rods at 11:30 a.m., J J Hawg at 3 p.m., Donald Prieto as Elvis at 5:30 p.m. and the Groove Kings at 7 p.m.
Festivities will include street vendors and a mini Gourmet Alley which features the traditional Garlic Festival favorites including peppersteak sandwiches, garlic fries and garlic bread. The Garlic Festival Queen, Ariele Combs and her Court will also be present as the Garlic Globe is lit to symbolize the official start of the Garlic Festival.
The Garlic City Fun Run is a great way for the community to come together socially, said Combs.
“My favorite part of the event is my interaction with the people,” she said. “I get to sell raffle tickets and I also like to see the cars that are entered.”
The event “is a party on the street,” said coffee barista Karen Fortino of Sue’s Coffee Roasting Company.
“I just love the activity, and as far as business – I wait for it,” said Fortino.
Sue’s Coffee Roasting Company plans to stay open until 10 p.m. the night of the car show. Fortino said the event brings a good crowd.
“It brings families. It brings people from out of town,” she said.
Entry forms can be found online at www.downtowngilroy.com. Participants may register the day of the event starting at 11 a.m. in the train station parking lot. There will not be a car parade this year. All cars must be parked by 3 p.m. when the Show and Shine begins.
Raffle prizes and merchant plaques will be given. For a $35 donation, store owners can present a plaque to the car of their choice.
Proceeds will benefit Gilroy Downtown Business Association projects.
The car show brings in business as well.
“I ended up selling two cars last year from the show” said Bill Marciano, owner of Checkered Flag Classics, a downtown classic car dealership.
Marciano brings cars from his showroom to the street for display. In addition to selling cars, Marciano always enters a car in the show and gives away a merchant award.
“For retail, events are good; for restaurants, events are good,” said Peoples, president of Gilroy Downtown Development Corporation and owner of The Nimble Thimble. “The whole reason for it is to bring people downtown.”
Garlic City Fun Run
When: 11 a.m. registration begins
11:30 a.m. first band
3 p.m. registration ends and Show and shine begins
9:30 p.m. music concludes
Where: Downtown Gilroy
