STOCKTON — After announcing the California Garlic Festival would move from Stockton to Los Banos earlier this year, the weekend has arrived.
Organizers say they had to make the move because people in San Joaquin County just aren’t into garlic like other commodities.
The San Joaquin County Fairgrounds are empty this Labor Day weekend.
“That’s a bummer because Los Banos isn’t closer to me either,” Cara Petties said.
Petties, who lives near Stockton, loves her garlic.
“We love garlic. Garlic is used in everything. I love it. I use it in everything,” she said.
Seeing the Garlic Festival move down south after just two years in Stockton has her thinking about how they can bring it back.
“Maybe a couple of times a year. Maybe at more localized places that can create a little venue,” she said.
Back in April, organizers for the festival decided to move it to Merced County but never gave a reason why.
“The community up there wasn’t involved with garlic as they are down here,” organizer Tony Noceti said over the phone. “With the Asparagus Festival, they are very supportive of that.”