Gilroy Garlic Festival

The Gilroy Garlic Festival took place over the weekend. Its held every year on the last Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of July. I did not go this year. For that matter, I have not gone in several years. Although its been many years since Gilroy has lost its title, the festival goes on and no one seems to care. Gilroy is located about 1.5 hours south of the city. The main draw is the food but artisans hawk their wares, cooking demonstrations and contests ply some people to attend, and live music under the clear sky and warm day make for a great outting. There are several food booths that you would see at any street fair in the city. However, they just make the main ingredient more prominent while at the festival. One can nosh on deep-fried artichoke hearts in garlic aioli, chicken or steak grilled with garlic, and the infamous garlic ice cream. In gourmet alley, they cook up calamari, pasta, and tri-tip sandwiches. The most notable being the fireball that erupts when wine is added to the gigantic skillets filled with calamari and garlic. With this being California, wine is available but no one has come up with one that is infused with garlic.

Surrounding the festival site is alot of farm land. On your way in or out, you can stop by and pick up fresh fruits and vegetables. One place has fresh fire-roasted chiles. Also, within a short drive is an outlet mall. If you arent tired when you come out of the festivities, you can put forth that last bit of effort towards reviving the economy.

Edit: Apparently, there is garlic wine and unconfirmed rumours of garlic beer