Event takes place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 20, in downtown

Photo courtesy Casey Bogdan
Casey Bogdan will sing a mix of country and pop country at Sixth and Monterey streets during the festival.

By Marty Cheek

The heart of Gilroy is set to beat with renewed vigor as the downtown area prepares to host an expanded version of its annual wine event, now rebranded as “The Heart of Gilroy Festival.”

Scheduled for Saturday, July 20, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., this summer celebration promises to blend the best of local wines with art, music, and family-friendly activities.

Michele Campbell, board member of the Gilroy Downtown Business Association, shared insights into the festival’s evolution.

“It started as the original wine stroll many years ago,” she said. “Two years ago, we wanted to elevate it by adding art. We’re the heart of Gilroy in downtown, and we wanted to bring the event to the next level.”

While organizers initially hoped to expand to a full weekend festival this year, challenges with insurance and city readiness led them to maintain the one-day format.

“We hope in the future we can make it a two-day event because we can’t get the bigger artists to come when it’s just a one-day event,” she said. “Vendors want to be there for multiple days.”

The festival will feature wine tasting from 1 to 6 p.m., showcasing more than 25 wineries from the South Valley region, including Morgan Hill, Gilroy, and Hollister, she said.

“It’s pretty much mostly local. The furthest we have gone is Santa Cruz,” Campbell said.

Visitors can purchase tickets for $60, which includes tastings at participating downtown businesses.

A VIP option is available for $100, offering access to a special section with food, shade, and reserve wines from Cinnabar Winery, complete with an expert talk.

New additions to this year’s festival include a Beer and Bubbly Garden, featuring beer and Champagne, and food vendors to complement the culinary offerings from local restaurants.

The event will also showcase a variety of artists, both traditional and unique, displaying their works for sale throughout the downtown area.

Music enthusiasts can enjoy performances at four band areas, featuring “lighter music” to set the mood.

The entertainment set up throughout downtown will  include Nathan Ignacio, Casey Bogdan, M’sippi Slide (R&B), Billy Reese (country/americana), Just Friends, and Soft Lights.

Families are welcomed to explore the Kids Zone, located in the Don “Elvis” Prieto Pop-up Park next to the Gilroy Center for the Arts. It will offer fun arts and crafts and child-oriented activities.

Campbell emphasized that while the event has expanded, it’s not trying to replicate the Gilroy Garlic Festival.

“This is all about artisans, arts and crafts,” she said. “We’re modeling it after the Capitola Art and Wine Festival.”

The organizers are also promoting the downtown area’s murals and recent additions to enhance the visitors’ experience.

“People should come out and support downtown Gilroy and discover the merchants and see all the upgrades and new places that are open and opening,” Campbell urged. “It’s an exciting time. They can discover the heart of Gilroy.”

As the festival continues to grow, organizers hope to move it to April next year, potentially paving the way for the two-day format they envision. For now, locals and visitors alike are encouraged to mark their calendars for July 20 and prepare to experience the vibrant heart of Gilroy.

 

Tickets are available at www.downtowngirloycom/heart-of-gilroy-festiva. See ad on page 20.