Gilroy Ail Festival to come back six years after mass shooting

Gilroy – Le Gilroy Garlic Festival returns six years after a mass shoot put an end to the annual tradition.

Friday afternoon, the Gilroy Gurlic Festival Association announced that the event will take place from July 25 to 27 in Gilroy Gardens.

“We are grateful for the continuous support of the community of Gilroy, the city of Gilroy, the Gilroy Gardens and our dedicated partners who helped make this return possible,” said the association.

The festival will be an experience of limited capacity, welcoming up to 3,000 guests with presolds per day, according to the association.

“Customers can expect signing garlic dishes, live entertainment, arts and crafts, and dear traditions that have long made this event a favorite of the community,” said the association.

The festival took place for the last time in 2019. On July 28 of the same year, a shooter injured 17 people and killed three – Stephen Romero, 6, from San Jose; Keyla Salazar, 13, from San Jose; And Trevor Irby, 25, from Santa Cruz.

Previously, the Gilroy Garlic Festival appreciated international renown, going from a humble lunch in 1978 to an event with an attendance of around 100,000 for almost 40 years.

The festival was also a key source of financing for non -profit organizations and local organizations in the city.

The efforts to bring the festival started in 2020, but they were hampered by the pandemic. In 2021, the association attempted a smaller iteration in Gilroy Gardens, but the responsibility for the insurance increased from $ 6 million to $ 10 million after the shooting. At this rate, the association could not afford anyone to ensure the festival.

The staff writer Luis Melecio-Zambrano contributed to this report. Come back for updates.