Opening of Gilroy Garlic Festival
GILROY, Calif. (KCBS) _ You can expect heavier traffic and a strong whiff of garlic if you happen be driving on Highway101 past Gilroy this weekend.
The 32nd Gilroy Garlic Festival opened on Friday and the popular event is expected to attract thousands.
And the most popular part of the festivities is usually the garlic cook-off, where recipes this year include roasted garlic, blueberry and pear cobbler with garlic pecan brittle cream and potentially pretentious pork tenderloin with garlic five ways.
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The Great Garlic Cook-Off will feature eight contestants, although none are from California.
The success of the event relies on hundreds of volunteers.
"I think I'm working four or five hours today," said one volunteer. "Just cutting basil. I think I might train with somebody later and cut a little cilantro or parsley."
Garlic ice cream also remains a favorite for festival goers, especially as the weather heats up.
The festival is being held at Christmas Hill Park in Gilroy through Sunday.