The Lac La Hache
Community Club...
Your Festival HostsOne of the oldest organizations of its type in British Columbia, the Lac La Hache Community Club was founded on February 27, 1936. It has a long and impressive record of achievements and dedication to the community, and has strongly supported various social and sporting events in Lac La Hache, making it one of the most family oriented communities anywhere.
Beginning in 2010, this strong, experienced, and enthusiastic organization has now added a new and exciting event to their community - The South Cariboo Garlic Festival is now part of this vibrant community.
Gail Szolosi, founder of the Festival, said, "I am extremely pleased that the Lac La Hache community has taken on this wonderful event, and I will be working with them to help the transition go forward smoothly." Gail felt she could no longer devote the time and attention necessary to continue with her responsibilities of leading the charge of this ever-growing event, and had spent a long time seeking a worthy organization to take the helm of this now famous "Celebration of the Stinkin' Rose."
 You will see Gail at the Festival as one of the many unique vendors in her Goodness of Garlic booth, offering a great variety of her pure and natural garlic products made right here in the South Cariboo. Just look for the lady with the big garlic hat!
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FESTIVAL HISTORYOK, Who Started All This? The First South Cariboo Garlic Festival was held in August of 2000. For years, it had been a dream of Gail Szolosi to hold an event that would be fun for all and provide an opportunity for local artisans and entertainers to 'show their stuff' to visitors. Garlic was to be the main theme, as Gail and her Hungarian-born husband Steve had lots of experience in growing and cooking with 'The Stinking Rose' over the years. Fun for families was a big priority for the original Festival. People of all ages are made to feel welcome & comfortable.
Kariboo Farms (owned by Gail & Steve) was the setting for the first Festival and the response to this first effort was almost overwhelming. Literally thousands of people appeared to take in the 2 day event! It was a great learning experience and from this, the Festival again was held in 2001 and things ran on a much smoother level.
Growth Brings Change In 2006, the Festival moved to Centennial Park in 100 Mile House as it had simply outgrown its original location near Forest Grove. Attendance has climbed dramatically over the years and it is now a major annual event in the South Cariboo. The vision of Mayor Donna Barnett and the District of 100 Mile House Council was instrumental in helping this all come together.
A Community In ActionThe original intent of doing something good for the community and providing a great experience for visitors has not changed. If anything, it has become an integral part of the local culture. There is a growing number of dedicated volunteer organizations and individuals who support the Festival in so many important ways and truly make it come to life.
The Garlic Festival is truly an example of great community spirit in action. As the President of the newly formed South Cariboo Garlic Festival Society, Gail continued to oversee the Festival planning as the Host (some like to call her the 'Great Goddess of Garlic' while others just call her 'The Garlic Lady') & Chief Promoter of the Festival until early 2008.
Due to ill health in the family, she made the decision to give up her role as the Festival Organizer in 2008. The 100 Mile House Rotary Club agreed to step in and run the Festival for that year.
Gail came back to head up the Festival in 2009 - its 10th year - and is now going to step back and assume an advisory role. Beginning in 2010, the Festival will be held at Lac La Hache, BC...a very pretty community just north of 100 Mile House on Highway 97. The Lac La Hache Community Club will be the new hosts of the Festival. This Club is a very vibrant and strong organization in this South Cariboo community, and they will be working with Gail to carry on the original flavour of the Festival, while adding some new twists to keep it moving along as one of the biggest and most unique events in the Cariboo region of British Columbia.
Come & See Us! If you get a chance to come to our area, we urge you to come to the Festival to feel the spirit, catch all the entertainment, sample the garlicky goodies, and above all, have a GREAT & WORTHWHILE EXPERIENCE in this gorgeous part of Beautiful BC, Canada!
Authored by the Festival Webmaster on behalf of
The South Cariboo Garlic Festival and the Lac La Hache Community Club
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