What is promised to be the largest South Cariboo Garlic Festival to date will kick off on Saturday, Aug. 24.
The South Cariboo Garlic Festival is a "time that we can all get together and celebrate the growing of garlic, everything great in garlic, lots of different garlic items, garlic foods" according to festival director Teresa Wager. The festival takes place north of Lac La Hache along Highway 97 on land owned by the Lac La Hache Community Club. The festival runs from Aug. 24 to 25 and has been held in Lac La Hache since 2010.
Wager states that this year is shaping up to be "the biggest garlic festival that we've ever had for the South Cariboo" because over 162 vendors are scheduled to attend.
"There are 12 just garlic growers, but they're going to be offering 30, over 35 different types of garlic - garlic infused soya sauce, garlic hot sauces, garlic braids. There's garlic juice and garlic ice cream. So there's garlic everything that I could think of," Wager remarked.
The remaining 150 vendors will be selling a wide range of items from clothing, local craft goods and fresh produce.
Vendors are not the only thing this massive festival plans on having: there will also be a kid zone with four bouncy castles and an adult zone called the "roughneck zone", as Wager calls it.
"We've got hunting, trapping, fishing, more geared towards outdoor type stuff. And so I think that's going to be a super cool area this year," stated Wager.
In addition, there will be two stages with live music from local Cariboo musicians.
"We've got the main stage with Markabillies, Broken Hill, Tracy Lynn - we've got some great acts there, but we also got a stage at Felker House, where we've got more bluegrass country folk music. So in between any kind of downtime, we've got the two stages going on," Wager said.
But if music, vendors and fun zones are not enough, there is still more for the public to enjoy.
"We also have live chainsaw carvings this year and a portable sawmill that's going to let some sawdust fly. So we've got lots of different things for every age group and every walk of life," Wager stated.
There will also be an appearance from Garlina, the festival's mascot and a 50/50 draw to fund upgrades for Lac La Hache Elementary School.
Wager also stated that people should pay attention to the talented people of the Cariboo.
"There is just so much talent in this region, and I think to show up and just be part of that festival atmosphere is a super exciting thing for our community, and I just want people to enjoy it," Wager remarked.
Anyone in the Cariboo is encouraged to come to the garlic festival this year, Wager said. She noted last year they set a record of 7,000 attendees and she hopes to break this record this weekend.
"Be a part of an awesome community, an awesome festival - and just celebrate everything garlic and everything this community has to offer."
