Garlic Festival comes to Copes Park

On Friday and Saturday, Aug. 15-16, the annual Garlic Festival will take place at Copes Park, located at 60 Lillich St. in Clatskanie. This event was launched 10 years ago, but it was little more than an exercise in unfounded enthusiasm. The idea was solid, though, and the community has since embraced it as it grew into its current reality, a regional culinary and cultural attraction. Many of the folks that sampled the garlic that day recognized it as the base flavor of many of their favorite dishes and liked it. For both them and us, it was an "aha moment" and was the birth of what would become the annual Clatskanie Garlic Festival.

Over the past decade, our growers have secured the finest seed stock and grown fabulous, even exotic, garlic strains that you just can't find in one place anywhere else. Who knew that the Pacific Northwest had the ideal climate and soil for growing gourmet garlic? This year, our growers will be bringing dozens of different strains with most of the world's known varieties represented.

If you are interested in growing your own, you will never find a better selection of locally climatized seed stock from which to choose. Besides, where else can you have access to so many experienced growers? This market is unique in that the people who grow the garlic are also behind the tables selling it. They love to talk garlic; that is, if you dare to get them started.

The Festival Committee has lined up over 50 vendors offering regional arts and crafts, locally produced vegetables, handmade goods, and, of course, everything garlic. Bring the kids, as the festival will also have a pavilion featuring adult-led garlicky activities.

This year's event will have extended hours and will stretch over two days. The kick-off is the "Pasta Palooza" from 6-8 p.m. on Friday in Copes Park. This garlic-themed event will feature handmade pasta from Seven Sisters Pasta, smothered in garlic charged sauces (marinara, alfredo, pesto, and black garlic). The Libations Garden will be open and will be offering locally produced wine, cider, beer, and even zero-proof drinks. Bring your own blanket for this picnic-style family event.

The Festival itself will be on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Several of the above mentioned vendors will offer prepared foods, so bring your appetite. Enjoy lunch in a manicured meadow in the oxbow of the Clatskanie River. The Libations Garden will be offering locally produced spirits as well as kids drinks. Of course, there will be live music. The Lorna Baxter Septet will belt out their jazz infused set throughout the day. Finally, for true garlic geeks who just can't get enough, the last event of the festival will be a screening of "Garlic is as Good as Ten Mothers" on Saturday at 6 p.m. in the Clatskanie Food Hub, located across the street from Copes Park. The popcorn will be garlicky, and the local drinks will be flowing.

Round up your friends and families and follow that unmistakable fragrance to Copes Park. It's the 10th celebration of the Clatskanie Garlic Festival at the coolest little farmers market in Oregon. We'll see you there!