For the first time, the annual Miss Gilroy Garlic Festival Queen Pageant will be hosted at Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park. The pageant will be held on Saturday, May 13 at 3:00 pm on the Lakeside Amphitheater stage. As part of the “Bigger, Better, Bolder” theme for the 2017 Gilroy Garlic Festival, this year pageant contestants will be eligible for even bigger awards, including a $7,500 Christopher Ranch scholarship prize for the Queen.
Lauren Mantani, Chair of the Queen Pageant Committee, said, “We are so excited to showcase these lovely and talented young women in such a naturally beautiful setting! We are truly grateful for the community partnership with Gilroy Gardens and can’t wait to see who will be crowned our 2017 Queen!”
Nine contestants will be judged by a panel of five judges on personal interview, talent, garlic speech, and on-stage question. The winner will be crowned Miss Gilroy Garlic Festival 2017 and receive a $1,000 prize. The First Runner-Up receives $500, and Second Runner-Up receives $250. Contestants are also eligible for other awards, including Christopher Ranch scholarship prizes of $7,500 for the Queen, $3,500 for First Runner-Up, $2,500 for Second Runner-Up, and $1,000 for each Princess.
This year’s contestants are: Lindsey Buessing, age 17, a Senior at Christopher High School who will be attending Sacramento State in the Fall; Emily Boykin, age 17, a Senior at Gilroy High School who will be attending UC Davis in the Fall; Adrianna Molina, age 18, a Senior at Gilroy High School who will be attending Gavilan College in the Fall; Macey Mitchell, age 19, a Sophomore at Evergreen Valley College; Mary McClelland, age 17, a Senior at Gilroy High School who will be attending University of Hawaii, Manoa in the Fall; Mariah Carpenter, age 18, a Senior at Christopher High School who will be attending University of the Pacific, Stockton in the Fall; Lexy Cartwright, age 18, a Senior at Christopher High School who will be attending San Diego State University in the Fall; Margaret Pickford, age 18, a Senior at Gilroy High School who will be attending UCLA in the Fall; and Kylie Kuwada, age 18, a Freshman at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
The Queen and her court represent Gilroy at various festivities leading up to the Gilroy Garlic Festival, which will be held July 28-30, 2017 at Christmas Hill Park. They have the opportunity to make guest appearances in local print and electronic media, in parades, and at fundraising events. Most importantly, they spend all three days at the festival having a garlicky good time with fellow lovers of the pungent bulb.
Pageant tickets will be available for purchase from any of the contestants or in the Garlic Festival Office. Until May 10, guests can purchase a ticket to the pageant only for $10 or to the pageant and dinner reception immediately following for $20. After May 10, prices will go up to $15 for the pageant and $25 for the pageant and reception. Separate Gilroy Gardens park admission is not required for this event. For more information, go to gilroygarlicfestival.com/festival/miss-gilroy-garlic.
