Almonte Herbfest highlights horseradish
Posted Jul 24, 2011 03:59:08 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The 16th Annual Midsummer Herbfest in Almonte attracted 2,500 people on Sunday afternoon.
The festivities kicked off at 11 with a cook-off between three downtown chefs.
In honour of this year’s featured herb, horseradish, the chefs all cooked dishes with the perennial herb.
The festival this year also included food demonstrations, guided herb garden walks, educational talks about how to grow herbs, and cheese tastings.
Event organizer Freda Godby said the festival is very popular in Almonte.
“It’s something that brings people together,” Godby said. “We have some fabulous vendors. We are trying to promote local businesses and entrepreneurs!”
The crowds swarmed the tents where vendors sold herb teas, pickled garlic, and home made organic soaps.
“I have regular garlic pickles, dill flavoured garlic pickles, sweet garlic pickles and a brand new one – hot and spicy,” said Diane from King’s Creek Garlic Farm.
The food tents were also crammed, with people lining up to try freshly squeezed basil lemonade, gazpacho made from locally grown tomatoes and boar sausages from a local farm in Wakefield.
Linda said she and her husband Leo also come to the festival so they can stock up their pantry.
“Our family has been here every year for 8 years at least,” she laughed.
Others attended the festival for the first time but said they’ll definitely return next year.
“It’s great,” said Donna. “There’s tons of different things are we’re really enjoying it.”
The festival also included musical performances and a drum circle.
