The versatility and diversity of garlic was once again the focus of a garlic festival and trade show on September 10 at the Kamsack Legion Hall.
Billed as the Fourth Annual Hint of Garlic and Trade Show, vendors from as far away as Minitonas and Benito, Man. and Runnymede were in attendance to display their various wares.
“Traditionally we have had this event on the second Sunday of September which gives most vendors a chance to sell their wares without too much worry of the weather,” said Jim Woodward, an organizer of the event. “School is back in and most people are finished their summer holidays.
“The build-up to this event has been absolutely fantastic. One thing I marvel at is the distance patrons are now coming to get a selection of garlic and other products,” Woodward said.
“Our first year, one vendor taught patrons to braid soft-neck garlic, and in other years people were taught how to peel garlic. We have had garlic in almost anything conceivable and interest in all recipes.”
Woodward has seen the interest in garlic grow immensely over the last four years, and feels that is partly due to the fact that Kamsack, which is known as the Garden of Saskatchewan, has such a diverse array of ethnic backgrounds, so it is only natural to see such an interest in garlic.
“At first, people were saying ‘garlic is garlic’, but now they ask ‘how strong is this garlic’ and ‘which one is the strongest?’”
Woodward also mentioned that the garlic festival produces a different-coloured T-shirt every year, which are offered for sale, and the organizers of the event have been amazed to see where these T-shirts have been spotted.
A new facet introduced at this year’s festival was the cookie walk, organized by Legion members in support of Legion member Barry Golay.
The winner of the door prize was Ione Morash.
