5th Annual WNC Garlic Fest 2018: Eat, Learn and Grow.
The fifth annual WNC Garlic Fest will take place at Sow True Seed’s downtown location, 243 Haywood St. on Oct 6, 2018. It is a FREE event, open to all; vampires welcome, if they dare.
WNC Garlic Fest combines a celebration of all things awesome about eating garlic and a deep driven belief that we can share the simple skills necessary to empower everyone to grow great garlic.
Humble Beginnings
“The first Garlic Fest was kind of an accident,” says Chris Smith of Sow True Seed. “We wanted to have a day of free garlic growing workshops, but everyone got a little overexcited.”
Sow True Seed, Asheville’s local open-pollinated seed company hosts WNC Garlic Fest, and each year the event has grown in attendance and scope. “That first year was more like a garlic-themed potluck,” remembers Smith. “Lots of fun, but totally manic and not very scalable.”
Now in its fifth year, WNC Garlic Fest attracts 1000s of attendees to come experience the garlic offerings of over 30 local businesses. The events highlight attraction is the WNC Garlic Trail, whereby attendees receive a free ‘trail map’ and explore the festival by seeking out authentic garlic experiences offered by participating vendors.
The Garlic Trail includes:
· The Hop, offering garlic ice cream;
· Well Seasoned Table, offering a local roasted garlic salt;
· The Gypsy Queen, offering a vegan Garlic Aioli;
· Root Bottom Farm, offering a locally made garlic butter;
New for 2018
WNC Garlic Fest is excited to team up with Organic Growers School to offer a beer tent and a sampling of a garlic beer, brewed by Fonta Flora. “We’ve been seeking out a garlic beer for a few years now,” says Vanessa Horton, festival assistant. “And were super happy when Fonta Flora took on the challenge.” All proceeds from the beer sales will support Organic Growers School and future WNC Garlic Events.
The second expansion for 2018 is a partnership with Slow Food Asheville, who will be running the family fun area with bounce house, face painting, goodie bags and games. A single all-activity wristband will raise money for Slow Food Asheville’s great work and fund future WNC Garlic Fests. The family fun area will also have music, seating and food trucks.
Simple Skills : Great Garlic
WNC Garlic Fest will be staying true to its roots. The festival will include a series of FREE 45 minute garlic workshops, including Garlic Growing 101, Fermented Garlic by Fermenti and Garlic Dips by Cathy Cleary. See wncgarlicfest.com/learn for a full schedule.
“It was very important to us that we not lose the original idea behind WNC Garlic Fest,” says Smith. “We want everyone to have the skills and the knowledge to grow their own great garlic.”
Sow True Seed will have a selection of certified seed garlic varieties available for purchase leading up to and on the day of WNC Garlic Fest.
More Information?
WNC Garlic Fest is online at www.wncgarlicfest.com, like us at www.facebook.com/wncgarlicfest
