PERTH — After a one-year hiatus, the beloved Perth Garlic Festival is back, bursting with fresh energy, big heart and, naturally, plenty of garlic.
At the centre of the revival is Anne Bell, chair of the festival and a volunteer who proves that community spirit has no age limit. Bell has been a Lion for more than 50 years and, after moving to Perth five years ago, simply could not let the 25-year tradition fade away when the longtime organizing committee decided to step down.
“They’d been doing it for 25 years,” Bell explains. “They were tired. It was time.”
For Bell and the Perth Lions Club, however, the Garlic Festival is too important a fundraiser, and too important an event, to lose.
“The Garlic Festival is such a significant event for our community. It’s an annual favourite that draws both local residents and visitors to a well-attended weekend celebration here in Perth,” said Cathy McNally, the Town of Perth’s director of community services.
Although Bell volunteered at past festivals, this is her first year as chair, leading an entirely new 12-member committee. Planning began in the fall, ramped up in January, and the countdown is now on for Aug. 8 and 9 at the Perth Fairgrounds.
According to Bell, the two-day festival regularly draws more than 2,000 visitors, filling the grounds and downtown Perth with shoppers, diners and garlic lovers from across Ontario. Vendors travel from places such as Niagara Falls, Muskoka, Brockville and Gatineau, alongside local vendors from the Perth area.
In 2024, the festival hosted 64 vendors. This year, more than 40 are already registered, with hopes of reaching 70 before registration closes. And it’s not just garlic growers. Visitors will find crafts, jewelry, specialty products and more.
The festival is entirely volunteer-run, primarily by the Lions. It takes muscle, too, with nearly 100 volunteers needed over the weekend to handle parking, the canteen, vendor registration and placement, and to keep everything running smoothly.
The Shriners will return to help with parking, while the Lions operate a popular canteen serving burgers, hot dogs and fries. Bell says people “flock” to the fries every year.
Funding for the festival comes largely from vendor fees, modest entrance fees and community support, Bell said. Sponsorship efforts are currently underway to help defray costs.
“The Town of Perth provides in-kind support by providing tables and chairs for use at no cost. In the past, the Garlic Festival has utilized our Community Grant funding to support their operations,” McNally said.
The fun-filled weekend includes a 50/50 draw, live local music both days, a beer and refreshment tent, and cooking demonstrations that are still being finalized.
Saturday’s entertainment features the band Ruckus, while Sunday brings Three To Go, both local bands ready to keep the fairgrounds lively.
The festival opens at 9 a.m. Saturday and runs until 5 p.m. It reopens at 9 a.m. Sunday and wraps up at 4 p.m.
“The purpose of the Perth Lions Garlic Festival is to create demand for locally grown garlic so growers and consumers can network and share information and knowledge,” states the Lions’ Facebook page.
Visitors shop local, dine in town, stay overnight and reconnect with neighbours. Thanks to a new generation of volunteers, this cherished tradition is ready for its next chapter.
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Who do we contact for the vendors show?
who do we contact for a registration for vendors