By Betsy Avelar
Gilroy
– Those craving the Miss Garlic Queen crown will have to start
preparing their speeches, gowns, and talents a month in advance
this year.
Gilroy – Those craving the Miss Garlic Queen crown will have to start preparing their speeches, gowns, and talents a month in advance this year.
The Miss Gilroy Garlic Festival Queen Pageant is a scholarship pageant that is usually held the last Saturday of April at the Gavilan College theater, but now it is planned for March moving up all application deadlines to mid February. The theater was already booked at the end of April.
“It’s considerably early, which might catch people off guard,” said Tracy Dalke, co-chair person of the pageant.
Dalke does not consider this venture overwhelming, especially since she will be getting help from co-chair Cindy Sellows and 2006 Garlic Queen Sheena Torres.
“It is a bittersweet ending, and I’ve had so many amazing experiences this year,” said Sheena Torres.
Torres pointed out that those interested in wearing the crown must be ready to accept the responsibilities that come with the honor.
“I think that the next queen should keep in mind and carry on the commitment to being the best representative of the Gilroy Garlic Festival that you can be and dedicating every ounce of free time to be a part of that,” said Torres.
The new queen will serve as ambassador of the Garlic Festival, travel to Gilroy’s Japanese sister city Takko-Machi and attend various community events throughout the year to promote the festival.
Torres received much publicity and according to Dalke many opportunities to publicize the festival.
“She has been utilized the most for publicity of all the queens that I can recall,” said Dalke.
Torres went on a trip to New York to speak on the Montel Williams show that was featuring small towns in America. The Garlic Festival was featured along with five other events. Though the show has not aired yet, she is expecting it soon.
Torres’ reign will reach its last days in March, and the Gilroy Garlic Association hopes to find another woman who can represent Gilroy from ages 19 to 24, who is a resident of Gilroy, San Martin, Morgan Hill, Hollister, San Juan Bautista, or Aromas; and is a single female who has never been married and has no children.
Contestants are judged by a panel of five judges on the following: Personal interview, talent, speech and evening gown. The evening gown sector also includes a random on-stage question to test the woman’s improvisational skills.
Applications will be available beginning Tuesday, Jan. 16 at the Garlic Festival office, 7473 Monterey St.
“Apply and give it a chance because the Garlic Festival Association is really looking for the girl who can best represent the Garlic Festival and Gilroy,” Torres said.
Betsy Avelar attends Gavilan College and is an intern for The South Valley Newspapers. Reach her at (408) 847-7216 or
ba*****@gi************.com
.
