The South Cariboo Garlic Festival just keeps getting bigger and better and this year is proving to be no exception.
This will be the 13th annual event that showcases the stinkin' rose in all forms imaginable and it’s being held in Lac la Hache, Aug. 25-26.
From garlic burgers to fresh baked garlic chocolate chip cookies, which festival director Jeanette McCrea shared recently on air with CFJC-TV Midday Show host Susan Edgell, they'll have it covered.
There will be plenty to do, with non-stop entertainment, approximately 70 vendor booths to visit, food and features, such at the Master Garlic Chef Cook-off contest where three finalists will use their culinary talents with garlic to win cash prizes.
Several community organizations will have booths where children will find free balloons and candy, have a chance to kick a soccer ball and buy a raffle ticket for a giant 1.37-metre tall teddy bear.
The Lac la Hache Community Club runs the festival on an eight-hectare (20-acre) site, which is located just north of town.
McCrea says there is plenty of free parking and shade for sitting in the picnic table area under a newly constructed roof. Adding extra interest and ambience to the Garlic Festival is the historic Felker Homestead, which is located on the property.
The festival goes from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday (Aug. 25) and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
The official opening of the newly constructed Lac la Hache Community Trail takes place at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday. It's is a low-mobility walking trail approximately 600 metres in length, which follows the shoreline of the festival site.
McCrea says it offers people a safe and attractive place to take a stroll.
"I'm excited about it and the whole festival, as I usually am."
A weekend pass for festival entry is just $5 and children 12 years and under have free admission. No pets will be permitted on site.
For a complete schedule of events and features, visit the festival web site at www.garlicfestival.ca.