The Odorous Bulb Fest

Avondale Sky Winery, 80 Avondale Cross Road, Newport Landing

Ever since reading Liz Primeau's book "In Pursuit of Garlic", An Intimate Look at the Divinely Odorous Bulb, I've been a little envious she attended the famous Gilroy Garlic Festival in California. "If only we had a garlic festival here in Nova Scotia". Well, my wish came true! Avondale Sky Winery hosted the first ever Avondale Garlic Fest this past Saturday and my goodness, it was wonderful. Being keeners, we were pretty well there just after it opened but already people were starting to enjoy the vendor offerings.

Contests included submitting favourite garlic recipes to be published in a cookbook, and competing for largest garlic bulb and largest clove. One farmer won that hands down using garlic she obtained through William Damn Seeds which I suspect is the variety 'Music". We were impressed!

The Winner of the largest garlic bulb and clove!
The prize a woven braid of garlic.

There were jewellery makers, organic food produce sellers, glass makers and painters but I am rather partial to the metal works from A Twist of Iron as we have one of their early fire pits in our own backyard. This time of year, as the evening nights cool, you are most likely to find us sitting around it, having a hot bowl of soup or a glass of wine. In spring and fall, we use ours a lot.

Firepits and seasonal decorations

Avon River Metalworks

The food area was packed solid so failed to get a photo. A highlight, with a reasonable wait time, was the food truck, Tin Pan Alley. If you follow this link, there is a menu for the event, served by a lot of local folks. No wonder this event is recognized as an "Incredible Edible Picnic Site". There are other picnics happening in Nova Scotia this time of year, so you could follow the link to find out if there is one near you.

Needless to say free wine sampling was a big hit. The winery was in fact a church, moved to the site from Walton, a nearby town. It is so beautiful, still mostly original inside with it's warm wood and carved font. Many people left with a wine purchase or a gift from the busy shop inside, a great place to visit at any time of year.

By the time we left, the parking lots were full, and cars were lined up right down to the main road. Try not to miss it next year. It was stinkin fun!

****Update...just found out my gf Naomi won for her recipe "Roasted Onion and Garlic soup" which will go into the book. Am so so pleased. High five N.