The second annual Minnesota Garlic Festival, sponsored by the Crow River Chapter of the Minnesota Sustainable Farming Association, will be Saturday, Aug. 18, from 1 a.m.-8 p.m., at the Wright County Fairgrounds in Howard Lake. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for kids. Parking by the Boy Scouts is $1. Gourmet garlic will be offered by several Minnesota growers. Vendors are selected for their healthy and environmental products. The Youth Art and Writing Competition is “The Future of Rural Minnesota.” There will also be an art show in the Octagonal Barn. Bigger and better this year featuring headliners, Will Hale and the Tadpole Parade, Papa John Kolstad and the Hot Club of East Lake, Russian comedics Vasili & Peter, Marienne Kreitlow and Texasota, Jawaahir, Star Michaelina, Actors Playhouse of St. Cloud and back from last year the popular Mu Community Taiko Group of Japanese Drumming, the entertainment tent is full. Times are listed on the sfa-mn.org website and sideliners are kids games, yoga lessons, belly dancing lessons and kite flying. “Ask the Expert” will feature garlic, gardening and health topics by experts in the field through out the day. The Great ‘Scape Café will feature garden specialties and a new addition will be the food court with a variety of grazing food from fresh lemonade to garlic ice cream. Well-known Twin Cities chefs who support locally grown foods, Alex Roberts from the Restaurant Alma, Mike Phillips from The Craftsman, Lucia Watson from Lucia’s Restaurant, Phillip Becht from The Modern Café, Tracy Singleton, chef at The Birchwood Café and Russell Klein formerly of W. A. Frost and Company will be cooking with garlic throughout the day. The festival has received grants from the Central Minnesota Arts Board, the Central Minnesota Initiative Foundation and company sponsors.
