Gilroy's Big Party, the Garlic Festival, Comes to a Close

Gilroy Garlic Festival President Kurt Svardal had one last thing to do before extinguishing the giant garlic bulb torch that had burned for the past three days.

It was the final moments for the few guests trickling out of on Sunday, and a jet from the fire hose he held would put out the flame and mark the ceremonial end to the famous three-day event.

The core group of volunteers who helped organize the festival had gathered to watch. This was good for the outgoing president, because that one last thing involved drenching the entire group with a blast of water.

It had been a blockbuster year for the famous celebration of all things garlic, with greater-than-anticipated sales of the popular Gourmet Alley foods and an endless stream of attendees from around the country.

Svardal will pass his role to Hugh Davis next year after serving his one-year term as president. Under his leadership, the festival saw the , the creation of the popular “” and a new amateur cooking competition, “”

“I feel great,” Svardal said, “A little tired, but great. When we sit down and look at the numbers, I think it will be a pretty dang good year.”

It was the sixth festival for Executive Director Brian Bowe. Though the numbers have yet to be examined, Bowe said that both revenue and attendance were likely up.

All of the revenue beyond expenses will be donated to local organizations, totaling in the millions over the past 33 years.

“I can’t wait until a couple of months from now when we can mail checks out to all the charitable organizations,” he said.

Volunteers will spend the next few days clearing out the festival fixtures and returning to its former state. Left behind, though, will be the rennovated amphitheater donated to the city.