LAURIE WEIR
What started as a few friends selling garlic out of the backs of their trucks has turned into a quarter-century of festival fun.
For two days in August, the Perth Lions Garlic Festival has brought in thousands of locals and visitors alike to catch a whiff of the “stinking rose.”
Aug. 10 and 11 there will be over 75 vendors at the Perth Fairgrounds, where garlic heads will revel in the many attributes of this pungent herb.
“The purpose of the festival is to promote Ontario-grown garlic, share ideas on how to grow, harvest, market, cook and enjoy garlic, to bring together garlic heads and producers on an annual basis, to provide a forum for the consumer to purchase Ontario grown garlic, to assist in the ongoing tourism development of the Perth community and to distribute the proceeds of the festival to worthwhile community initiatives supported by the Lions Club of Perth,” according to their website.
Over the years the festival has raised more than $500,000 for initiatives in the community.
There will be cooking demonstrations (12 and 1 p.m. both days), garlic bread and ice cream tasting, garlic braiding, and the popular birds of prey show. There will also be beer and liquor tasting by Top Shelf Distillers.
Bring your lawn chair and enjoy Saturday’s entertainment by Rukkuzz from 12 to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday by the Open Road Band from 12 to 3 p.m.
The birds of prey show will feature at least five raptors. There will be three shows each day at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Please note, that guests are reminded to leave pets at home as they won’t be allowed on the grounds.
Garlic growers attending the weekend event are more than just local growers. Producers are coming to Perth from across Ontario and western Quebec.
For more information, visit PerthGarlicFestival.ca or check out their Facebook page. The Perth Fairgrounds are located at the corner of Halton and Arthur streets. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.