2018 Miss Gilroy Garlic Festival Queen Crowned

GILROY, CA — There's a new garlic queen in town. Sloane Pace was crowned 2018 Miss Gilroy Garlic Festival Queen on Sunday during the annual scholarship pageant. More than 200 people were in attendance for the event held at the Lakeside Amphitheater stage at Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park. Next up, Queen Sloane and her court will represent the 40th annual Gilroy Garlic Festival at numerous pre-festival activities and throughout the three days of this year's festival, which is being held July 27, 28 and 29.

Young ladies 18 to 24 years old who live in Gilroy, Hollister, San Juan Bautista, San Martin, Morgan Hill or Aromas were eligible to enter the pageant. Over $33,000 in scholarship prizes were awarded to this year’s contestants.

Pace, currently a senior at Gilroy High School, won $12,000 to put toward her college education. As queen, she was awarded the $1,000 top prize from the Gilroy Garlic Festival Association as well as a $10,000 scholarship from Christopher Ranch. Pace won the Garlic Speech competition with “The Garlic Cruise” and was awarded another $1,000 from Olam. She plans to attend University of California, Berkeley in the fall.

Maricel Gomez was first runner-up and received $500 from GGFA along with $5,000 from Christopher Ranch. Gomez was also recognized as Best Talent for her dance performance to “Jailhouse Rock.”

Members of the 2018 royal garlic court also include: Second Runner-Up Searra Harding, who received $250 from GGFA and $3,000 from Christopher Ranch; and princesses Sophia Blocher, Melinda Colbert, Frida Arias, Kylie Kuwada, Lauryn Longoria, Adrianna Molina and Jennesa Andrade, who were each awarded $1,500 from Christopher Ranch.

In other special awards, Lauryn Longoria was named “Miss Congeniality.” Melinda Colbert won the Past Presidents award and a $950 scholarship. Kylie Kuwada was selected for both the Founding Fathers Award (a $500 prize) as well as the Past Queens Award ($475).

"Congratulations to all of our wonderful contestants!" said Queen Pageant Chair Katie Alatorre. "It was an amazing day, and everyone did a fantastic job."

Gilroy Golf Course Manager Don DeLorenzo emceed this year's event.

Pageant judges were Ken Christopher, Madison Emmert, Lori Kent, Ignacio Moya and Michele Pierson.

"Special thanks to Gilroy Gardens for hosting this very special event, and to everyone who attended," Alatoree said.