LUKE: It’s a crazy festival based on a nutty myth about two lunatics, who in all probability did not even exist. And even if they did, probably dropped dead of diphtheria before age 24. The town of Stars Hollow probably got its name from the local dance hall prostitute. Two rich drunk guys made up the story to make it look good on a poster.
This is Luke’s cynical theory about the Founders Firelight Festival. It actually doesn’t seem too implausible, and gives us another possibility: was Stars Hollow founded on a lie? Or has Luke been so hurt by love that he believes it is always a con?
(Diphtheria is an infection caused by air-borne transmission of bacteria, with the main symptoms being a fever, sore, throat, and a cough. It is fatal in 5-10% of cases, and was much more common before vaccines were available).
The Annotated Gilmore Girls 