Gilroy, California has held the Garlic Festival for 30 years. It is a three day event, starting July 24-26. The festival was created to provide money to local worthy charities and non-profit groups, and the tradition holds strong.

There are a lot of things to see and do at the festival. They have a children's area as well as the recipe contest and cook off. Walnut-Garlic-Tart with garlic-infused cream and chili syrup is one of the recipes from last year. The festival has entertainment, arts and crafts, foods and beverages. One of the main events of the festival is voting for a new Miss Gilroy Garlic Queen. The Garlic Queen has to be between the ages of 18 to 24 and live in Gilroy, Hollister, San Juan Bautista, San Martin, Morgan Hill or Aromas, to enter the competition.

In the children's area they have games to play, crafts to make, face painting and stories to hear. This year the theme for the children's area is set in a medieval time. They will have knights and dragons. The children may have a prince or princess to paint their face. There will be so many things to do at the festival, it will probably take you all three days to visit. Just so you know, general admission is $12. Seniors 60 and over as well as children six to 12, pay $6. Any children under six are free. You can buy tickets at the gate or online. Cash only is accepted at the gate, but they have ATM machines as well.