GILROY
– The year was 1995, and never in his freckled, fair-skinned
dreams did Lanny Brown think his year as president would be so
scorching hot.
GILROY – The year was 1995, and never in his freckled, fair-skinned dreams did Lanny Brown think his year as president would be so scorching hot. With temperatures of 110 degrees on Saturday and 111 degrees on Sunday, it proved to be the hottest Garlic Festival in history.
“I’ll never forget Dick Nicholls coming up to me with a bent wine glass,” Brown said. “For a minute, he had me convinced the heat did it.”
Brown, who has also been part of the Gilroy Police Department since 1985, was not only ready to take on the heat of the festival, he was ready to take on the heated challenges brought to the organization in 1995.
The year before Brown’s presidency, the Alcohol and Beverage Commission and the festival’s risk-management insurance carrier were looking closely at the way operations were run, including how alcohol was served to volunteers.
“In Gourmet Alley, we’ve got people working with fire and cutting things,” Brown said. “We had to make sure things would be safe for everyone.”
After working with both groups, Brown and the board of directors changed alcohol regulations to require volunteers working in dangerous areas to be restricted from alcohol consumption during their shifts.
Brown felt people may have thought his role as a police officer had something to do with the change in drinking, but he said he enjoys a good cold one just like anyone else.
“There is nothing better than to sit down on Sunday after the gates have been closed and the sun is going down and enjoy a nice, cold beer,” Brown said. “As president, this is the most relaxing time because the show is over and you have a chance to enjoy yourself.”
The change in alcohol management was minimal, but whenever there is a change, there is always controversy.
“To me the issue was fairly reasonable and made common sense,” Brown said. “But it wasn’t part of the festival culture. Whenever dynamics change, you face challenges.”
Although the administration had many hurdles to jump, Brown said the dedication and organization of the Garlic Festival Association helped things run smoothly, and he was very pleased with the outcome of the festival.
“That year went incredibly smooth, and those who did come weren’t crowded and packed into the park,” he said. “When everything runs smoothy, that’s an accomplishment in itself.”
Brown has continued to stay involved for the past eight years as part of the Strategic Planning Committee, and said in order for the festival to continue to be successful they must keep moving forward.
“We need people not just coming for the weekend and saying ‘been there, done that,'” Brown said. “We want people to have such a good time they come again – and bring friends.”
For those returning, Brown said constantly adding new things to make it a more enjoyable experience for the guests will keep the festival attractive.
“The best way to keep things innovative is to simply talk to people,” Brown said. “Whether it is formally or just making conversation with guests mingling through the park, we will always have fresh ideas through communication.”
Brown is counting down the days until the 25th anniversary, and so is his stomach.
“I can’t wait to sink my teeth into a nice juicy peppersteak sandwich,” he said.
