Gilroy residents showed up in droves during the Garlic
Festival’s first official
”
Locals Day
”
on Friday, although crowd were not available early this
evening.
Gilroy residents showed up in droves during the Garlic Festival’s first official “Locals Day” on Friday, although crowd were not available early that evening.
Janet Krulee, the Garlic Festival’s retail co-chair, said the festival seemed particularly busy for a Friday, and she speculated that many local residents were drawn by the local entertainment and discounts for Gilroy residents.
“It seemed like all of Gilroy turned out, which is great to see,” Krulee said.
Ticket sales figures were not available as of 7 p.m., and Garlic Festival Executive Director Brian Bowe did not want to venture a guess about the crowd turnout.
“I hear anecdotally that it was up, down and sideways,” Bowe said of Friday’s attendance.
He noted that Gate 3, which stands at Miller Avenue and the Uvas Levee, sold the most tickets. Most local residents tend to enter through that gate, he said.
Canyon Lake resident Pat Tutt, who sells bowls that allow dip to remain chilled, noticed a good-sized crowd for a Friday. He speculated that the moderate weather may have attracted more folks than usual.
“I would say considering the economy, it was pretty good,” he said of Friday’s sales.
Overcast skies gave way to temperatures in the mid-80s throughout the day, and many festival goers said it was one of the best years they could remember, thanks to the ideal weather.
“If the weather stays like this, how could you not come,” asked Susie Connell, who sits on this year’s advisory committee for the festival, as she surveyed the empty first aid area at about noon. “It’s a blessing. It’s also good to see no one in first aid.”
Still, that did not translate into better sales for everyone.
Meanwhile, Gina Orozco of Cajun Crawdads said sales seemed lower than usual, though she figured she would break even.
Gilroy High cross country coach Art Silva thought crowds on Friday were lower than usual, and he attributed it to the hike in ticket prices to $17 this year from $12 in the past.
Jeanie Xiong, who sells popcorn and peanuts, said it seemed like a typical Friday.
The amount of criminal activity also seemed typical for Friday, according to Sgt. Wes Stanford of Gilroy Police Department.
“We didn’t have any fights,” he said. “It was a good day.”
Police made about 10 arrests, mostly related to adults supplying minors with alcohol, Stanford said. In some cases, people who were over 21 were seen giving minors bracelets required to purchase alcohol, he said. In other instances, minors were simply found in possession of beer.
Most attendees at the festival were merely interested in good family fun.
Davis residents Tawny and Mike Yaubrovich and their son Cole said the festival is an annual tradition for the family.
“We make an annual pilgrimage for the yummiest event on earth,” said Mike Yaubrovich, as he was polishing a garlic ice cream cone from Gilroy Foods and Flavors.
Looking ahead, several vendors said they were optimistic heading into the weekend.
“We’re on par for being a really good weekend,” Tutt said.
