Since 1988, Gilroy has consistently received a delegation from Takko-Machi, Japan, another city renowned for its garlic-centric festivities. This year, the country will send 11 representatives to Gilroy, made up of local government officials and organizers of the foreign city's garlic festival.

Gilroy will also receive dignitaries from three other of its six Sister Cities, including Palao, an island in the northwest Pacific; Tecate, Mexico; and Angra do Hero'smo, Portugal, the newest city to join Gilroy's growing list of international partners. Only representatives from Saint Clar, France, and Monticelli d'Ongina, Italy, could not make it this summer, according to Mayor Al Pinheiro.

Last year, Gilroy only received a delegation from Japan.

Since then, Pinheiro has taken the lead in cultivating relationships with Gilroy's Sister Cities. Pinheiro, who was born in Angra do Hero'smo and moved to California at the age of 12, took time out of his personal vacation in June to sign a Sister Cities protocol with representatives of his native city.

Six representatives will join the international delegation this week to celebrate the Garlic Festival and tour the Bay Area. Next summer, the Suzuki youth music group will visit Angra do Hero'smo.

"I think it's just the beginning," Pinheiro said. "It's an opportunity to share cultures between the cities, their different viewpoints. All of that is part of the cultural exchange. If we're global and we believe in the roots planted in this city by the Japanese, the Spanish, the Italians, all of that, that's all part of the beginnings of the city. Why not continue to foster that and at the same time learn something from each other?"

The foreign visitors will begin their visit with a cocktail party on July 28, followed the next morning by introductions at the opening ceremonies of the Garlic Festival. Representatives will spend the weekend touring Gilroy, San Juan Bautista, San Francisco, and Monterey and Carmel, before a final departure ceremony and dinner on Aug. 1.

Before leaving, they will share bits of their culture with local residents. Residents can learn about Gilroy's international partners at Sister Cities Row, a string of booths at the festival offering information on each country.

Folklore musicians from Angra will perform for the public at the Portuguese Hall, off Sixth Street, on July 31. Tickets for the dinner cost $20.

As the city's top leader, the mayor is responsible for maintaining ties with its overseas partners.

Perhaps more than any of his predecessors, Pinheiro has energized the Sister Cities program by partnering with new countries and establishing the group as a formal nonprofit.

"The whole reason for that is that I want it to have an official structure," Pinheiro said, "so that whoever sits as mayor, there will be this side group that … fosters these kind of things."

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