The 13th Annual South Cariboo Garlic Festival a huge success, organizer Jeanette McCrea says, adding she is “very pleased.”
Estimating there were more than 3,000 went through the festival gates, McCrae notes the event’s popularity has grown significantly from last year’s 2,500 visitors.
People shopped at the 65 different vendors for food and goodies, which included a number of varieties of fresh garlic.
People could sit in the shade under new covers built over the picnic tables, as they were comfortable while enjoying a variety of excellent Cariboo entertainment on stage.
On Sunday, the aroma of garlic wafted over the site, as the three cook-off finalists prepped and cooked their magical creations.
Gina Myhill-Jones of 100 Mile House cooked her Garlic Beef Explosion Rolls and took home $1,000 for her effort.
Quesnel resident Shannon Johnston won $500 for her Rosie’s Garlic Perogies, and Vernon resident Steven McCrea took home $250 for his Pork Rolls & Dip.
Judges Ted Boyd from the Firehouse Diner, Leon Chrétien from Sunrise Ford, John McCarvill from Yummers and Palamino’s Restaurant, and Heidi Read from Higher Ground Natural Foods sampled and savoured these tasty dishes.
McCrea suggests people start getting their recipe entries ready and send them in to her for next year’s cook-off.
Elvis Elite Steve Elliot closed the garlic festival with his high-energy performance that entertained the crowd.
He tossed out stuffed teddy bears to the young children, while singing
“Teddy Bear,” and got the crowd singing along to his Elvis, Roy Orbison and Louis Armstrong melodies.
Noting they try to change it up a bit and make improvements, McCrea says plans are already underway for next year’s event.
Funds raised from the Garlic Festival will go towards upcoming Lac la Hache Community Club projects.