Garlic Festival infused with tradition

For 20 years, an annual festival has been permeating the air in Sudbury with the smell of garlic.

This year, the tradition continues with the Original Canadian Garlic Festival. It's a celebration of all things garlic, and the festival provides massive quantities of garlic-rich food to attendees, along with entertainment, arts and games for all, according to a news release from festival organizers.

Garlic lovers can get their fill Aug. 26 at the Ukrainian Seniors' Centre at the corner of Elm Street and Notre Dame Avenue. Gates open at 11 a.m. and admission is $2

The festival has been a popular attraction since its inaugural year, breaking its own attendance record several times over. The event draws crowds from all across the province, with some coming from as far west as Saskatchewan and as far east as Newfoundland.

In its inaugural year, the festival had more than 3,000 attendees and used more than 45 kilograms of garlic. This year is poised to be the biggest yet, according to organizers.

“Our seniors and our wonderful volunteers have been working hard preparing for the festival, and we simply can't thank them enough for making this all possible and providing so much great food for our attendees,” festival co-ordinator Linda Czyrka said.

There will be more than 20 different 'nibblers' to sample including garlic focaccia flat-bread pizza, garlic chilli, garllos, Kozak patties, chicken roll-ups, garlic ice cream and fudge, butter tarts and several authentic Ukrainian dishes infused with garlic including pyrohy and cabbage rolls.