"The Gilroy Garlic Festival Playbook" Launch Party

Join us for the launch of

The Gilroy Garlic Festival Playbook

1979 the first year...

"The Festival story begins with Dr. Rudy Melone — In 1978. Rudy had been the President of Gavilan Community College for just a few short years. Once settled in at Gavilan, he felt that he needed to know more about Gilroy in general and its primary industry, farming, specically. One of the crops that caught his interest was garlic. He felt that one of Gilroy’s top products should be a source of pride; not one of embarrassment. "

Larry and J Chris Mickartz have a long history with the Gilroy Garlic Festival. J Chris was on the original planning committee, and has worked or volunteered at every Festival. Larry attended the first Festival and began volunteering in 1981. He was a Committee Chair and Board Member, 1986-89 and has also worked or volunteered at almost every Festival since then.