Gilroy Garlic Festival organizers say they are not moving forward with the event for the foreseeable future.
The festival’s board of directors cited lingering issues from the COVID-19 pandemic along with prohibitive insurance requirements by the city of Gilroy.
The world famous garlic festival has been part of Gilroy’s heritage since the 1970s.
Thousands of people travel from all over to experience the various garlic inspired dishes and see famous chefs prepare the meals. The event has raised millions of dollars for local charities, organizers said.
The board now says the garlic festival will never be the massive event it has been in the past, but could one day be a more intimate local festival allowing the community to celebrate still.
People who go every year are likely to be disappointed and sad to hear of the festival’s cancellation, considering all the festival has endured in recent years.
In 2019, a mass shooting took place at the festival which left three people dead and 17 others injured.
The following year, the festival was canceled due to the pandemic and in 2021 it returned as a drive-thru event.
The festival board said it’s disappointed and hopes to bring this garlic festival back in some capacity, some day, but it certainly won’t be this year.
