A SMALL festival in honour of the potent purple bulb has become a major event in just five years, with the Koonya Garlic Festival expecting up to 10,000 people this year.
The harvest festival on the Tasman Peninsula celebrates all things garlic, including the food it flavours and the art and music it inspires.
“We’re really excited. We have loads of great music, great talks, master classes and 50 stalls,” said festival secretary Janice Sutton.
The festival began in 2014 with 800 visitors at the historic community hall and has grown each year since.
It features 12 garlic producers from around Tasmania, along with cooking demonstrations and master classes with Sally Wise and Christine Manfield, food vans, music, and gardening expertise from Gardening Australia’s Tino Carnevale and Angus Stewart.
“Angus Stewart fell in love with the area after coming here for a previous festival and is now living on the Tasman Peninsula,” Janice said.
While the festival has community roots, it attracts people from all over the state and further afield. “It’s more than a garlic festival. It’s about showcasing the best food from our region and gourmet products, but it’s also about celebrating the beverages and musical talent,” Janice said.
There will also be a host of children’s activities, such as science experiments, cooking demonstrations and face painting, along with garlic competitions for home and professional gardeners.
Tickets are $10 adults, $5 for Tasman Peninsula residents and concession card holders; free entry for under-16s.
The festival runs from 10am-3.30pm on February 24.
- 0457-722-772, koonyagarlicfestival.com
