Old School Square unveils new campus brand winner; Garlic Fest organizers seek DDA partnership

The Downtown Development Authority announced on May 19 that artist Patricia Torres won the Old School Square campus branding competition. Torres’s design, selected from three finalists and more than 10,000 public votes, will be developed with DDA design staff and unveiled as part of Old School Square’s centennial celebration in early fall.

Separately the DDA heard from organizers seeking to return Garlic Fest to Old School Square. Jennifer Costello and the event team said they are continuing planning and that they have notified Wellington (where the festival had moved) of their intent to return the event to Delray Beach. The organizers said they have paused public announcements while they finalize logistics following the recent death of founder Nancy Stewart, but that they wish to proceed in partnership with the DDA and Old School Square.

Why it matters: The new campus brand will be used for Old School Square materials and campaign work. Garlic Fest has historically been a sizable food and community event in Delray Beach and the organizers said they want to revive the event as a legacy partnership.

Next steps: DDA staff will continue to work with the winning artist on a finalized mark and will coordinate with the Garlic Fest organizing team and Old School Square staff to develop a partnership framework and timeline for approvals and campus logistics. The board gave a supportive reception but did not take a formal funding action during the meeting.

Ending: DDA staff said they will report back with brand rollout timing and proposed campus use and partnership terms for Garlic Fest at a future meeting.