Friday, July 21, 2006




GILROY, California--- Micki Pirozzoli's great grandfather didn't have cell phones, the internet or satellite TV when his family moved here in 1868, but the President of the 2006 Gilroy Garlic Festival Association wonders more about the sense of community he experienced in that time.Each July, Gilroy hosts the world famous Garlic Festival, a food and entertainment extravaganza recognized internationally as a model of citizenry working as one to improve their environment.The 28th annual Festival is slated for July 28-30, 2006 at Christmas Hill Park and will entertain an anticipated throng of 130,000 visitors from throughout the world.In 27 years the Festival has hosted 3.2 million visitors and raised over $7.2 million for local non-profit organizations through an innovative volunteer equity program."The Festival brings us together as a community in a spirit which remains indescribable," said Ms. Pirozzoli, a native Gilroyan and great granddaughter of William Cullen . "It's a year round strength that manifests itself each July.""In October you'll run into a fellow volunteer shopping for a specific item they'll need for the next Festival, then you might not see them again until you cross paths in arts and crafts or the children's area."Over 4,000 volunteers comprise the 33 committees that operate the Festival. "Annually the challenge is to make it bigger and better??..but don't change anything," Mrs. Pirozzoli warned. "It's a very fine line." The 28th annual Festival will maintain its traditional sights, sounds and smells but include some fresh spice. The most anticipated new element of 2006 will be the availability of advance ticket purchasing on the Festival website gilroygarlicfestival.com."We're elated to finally offer this service," Mrs. Pirozzoli admitted. "We expect this feature to significantly alter the walk up crush at the ticket booths'."Three stages will feature 42 live concerts over the three days of the Festival with fast-rising country recording artist Gary Nichols performing on the Vineyard Stage at 11:45 a.m. on July 29. The musical fare is renowned for its wide range of performers that include '50s and '60s rock 'n roll, Latin Salsa big band, jazz, belly dancing and zydeco.Other amusement and entertainment opportunities include arts and crafts vendors and an award-winning children's area. Lots of things to do????..when you're not eating. Festival visitors will consume over 20,000 pounds of beef, 8,000 pounds of scampi and 8,000 pounds of pasta among delicacies enhanced by over four tons of fresh Christopher Ranch garlic that comprise an unmatched 72 hour bill of fare.World famous Gourmet Alley -- which will broadcast a continuous live webcam on the internet at live.garlic.com throughout the Festival -- will feature pyrochefs grilling scampi, calamari and other delights with their spectacular flameups.The Gourmet Alley chefs will reveal the secrets to their creations in hourly cooking seminars on the Gourmet Alley Demonstration Stage presented by Washington Mutual. Shows will run daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Washington Mutual will distribute pre-printed recipe cards featuring selected favorites.The Great Garlic Cook-Off, a competition of eight finalists from hundreds of international entries, will begin on the Cook-Off Stage at 9 a.m. July 29 with a scheduled 12:30 p.m. conclusion. The 2005 Cook-Off Champion was Mary Beth Harris-Murphree of Tyler, TX who created Basil and Garlic-Stuffed Sea Scallops Wrapped in Prosciutto and served with a Spicy Citrus Beurre Blanc. The Festival Cook -Off committee has again aligned with popular Mama Mia's Ristorante Italiano to add the winning entrée to its menu at all four south bay locations beginning August 5.The 2006 Gilroy Garlic Festival will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 28-30 at Christmas Hill Park in Gilroy. Admission is $12 for adults, $6 for seniors (age 60-plus) and $6 for children age 6-12. Children under age 6 are admitted free.Advance tickets are available online at gilroygarlicfestival.com

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