Event at The Advocate Agency

Now in its 15th year, the 2011 Chehalis Garlic Fest and Craft Show is coming to spread fun, food, entertainment, shopping, and the delicious aroma of the stinking rose for three big days – Friday, Saturday and Sunday, August 26, 27 & 28. The Garlic Fest mascot, “Garlicious” will open the gates to start the foodie fest and welcome a projected 18,000 Guests before the weekend is over. Garlic Fest hours are Friday from noon to 8 pm, Saturday 10 am to 8 pm, and Sunday 10 am to 5 pm.

The highlight of the Fest is always the creative and delicious Garlic cuisine. Garlic lovers wait all year for the scrumptious offerings – traditional dishes such as Garlic Alfredo Pasta, Garlic Brisket Sandwiches, Garlic Artichoke and Chicken Crepes, hand-crafted Garlic Sausage on a bun, Rosemary Chicken with Quinoa, Garlic-butter drizzled smoked turkey legs, and much more. For the more adventurous, there is Garlic Fudge, Garlic Kettle Corn, Garlic Big Red Ones, Garlic Banana Puffs, Garlic and Parmesan Elephant Ears….and yes, even GARLIC ICE CREAM!

Talented folks from all over the USA bring their handcrafted wares and fine art, making Chehalis Garlic Fest a shopper’s paradise. From an extensive array of gourmet food products such as artisanal cheeses, baking mixes, jams, pickles, fudge, salsa, baked goods, honey, garlic-roasted nuts, soup mixes, garlic smoked salmon, smoked cheese, and pickled garlic. Talented Crafters will show off their baskets, jewelry, pet products, hand-crafted knives and cutting boards, candles, hand-thrown pottery and so much more. The Grandstand Hall was added as a second building last year to allow for more vendors and comfortable inside seating. It also houses a Second Stage which features acoustic performances, chef demonstrations and garlic informational presentations. This was a very popular addition, and folks enjoyed the comfortable seating and the fun and informative entertainment.

Now expanded to all three days, the beer garden and wine tasting have become a highlight over the last three years. The Centralia College Foundation Cloves and Vines Wine Tasting will this year be expanding to all three days of Chehalis Garlic Fest. The wine tasting will feature over a dozen regional wineries, and proceeds will benefit the Centralia College Foundation. Wine Tasting hours are Friday,4-8, Saturday, 10-8 and Sunday 10-5.
The Bulbs n’ Brews Beer Garden will debut the first-of-its-kind Golden Garlic Beer! Dick’s Brewing Company of Centralia has hand-crafted a superb Garlic infused brew that will delight the garlic – and microbrew aficionados. Other Dick’s Beers will also be served for those that want a traditional brew with their garlic cuisine. Hours of the Beer Garden are Friday 1-8, Saturday, 1-8, and Sunday 1-5.

Of course, there's live music and entertainment on the outdoor stage from Friday when the gates open, to Sunday when the gates close. The line-up for this year includes (for the 15th year!) the Locust Street Dixieland Band, Troubaduo, the New Old Stock, and Backfire Band. Saturday acts are Shred Kelly, Ben Potter Band, Bruce Maier Band and Oncore. Sunday will start with Rosie and the Posers and Cowboy Cadillac will close out the Fest. The second stage inside of the Grandstand hall will showcase many acoustic acts, Garlic informational presentations and chef demonstrations using the glorious garlic bulb.

Garlic aficionados travel hundreds of miles for the gourmet garlic from Ashley Creek Farm. This year the Garlic crew will be providing 65 different kinds of the beautiful bulb for Guests to take home for planting in their gardens or for use in whipping up gourmet delights in their kitchens.

Volunteers keep Chehalis Garlic Fest humming along every year, and along with pampering Guests and keeping the grounds shining, the Volunteers earn money for their favorite charities and groups. Volunteers at Garlic Fest designate a group or charity that they are “working” for. After Garlic Fest, a portion of the proceeds is divided up and distributed to the designated organizations. Last year, Chehalis Garlic Fest donated $9,400.00 to the Lewis County Historical Museum, The Centralia Chehalis Steam Train and Museum, Boy Scouts, Extreme Build Lewis County, Chehalis Kiwanis, Chehalis-Centralia Railroad and Museum, Lewis County Relay for Life, as well as student groups and community organizations.

General admission is $5, seniors 65 years and over and military is $4, children 7 and under are free. Find Chehalis Garlic Fest on Facebook, and the website is updated with the most current information, lodging discounts, maps and more. Go to www.chehalisgarlicfest.com. For more information, or contact the Advocate Agency at 360-748-6836, 433 N. Market Blvd., Chehalis, WA, 98532.