For the first time, the Gilroy Garlic Festival Association turned to the community for inspiration for Herbie, the collectible doll that sells out like wildfire at each festival. Of the 43 entries, the selection committee settled on the one that most captured the spirit of the festival, a look inspired by Gilroy resident Gerry Foisy, who has masqueraded as Mr. Garlic at each festival since 1988.

Herbie, now in his seventh year, was designed by Alan Smith, a computer programmer who submitted several sketches when he heard the association was looking for input. A Herbie collector, he was shocked to find out one of his sketches won. Although he had never been formally introduced to Foisy, Smith remembered seeing him roaming the grounds at Christmas Hill Park at each festival in his trademark costume and couldn't resist capturing a character that so obviously symbolized the festival.

"I was digging for ideas and he came to mind," Smith said of Foisy. Smith's other submissions included Herbie the motorcyclist and Herbie the bicyclist. "He's a mascot."

Honored that Smith thought of him, Foisy plans to slip into his costume - which is currently being revamped for this year's festival - alongside Herbie once again to report for duty.

"It's a fun job, but it's not an easy job," Foisy said. "This is a very big honor for myself but also for all those guys that came before me."

Several Gilroy men have sported the conspicuous costume over the years, and Foisy was happy to hear that the community recognized their hard work.

"He really is the epitome of the festival," said Joann Kessler, assistant executive director of the Garlic Festival. "He's probably one of the greatest volunteers we have."

The bobbleheads will not be available to the public until the festival begins on July 25. The 2,200 Herbies go for $13 each and past dolls often sell for two or three times the sale price on eBay.

"I'm proud to be this year's bobblehead guy," Foisy said, "right down to the Birkenstocks."

This year's Garlic Festival will be held July 25, 26 and 27.