HISTORY OF THE
GARLIC FESTIVALOK, 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 is now back in place as the President of The South Cariboo Garlic Festival Society and Festival Director. She and the Society Directors extend a very big "Thank You!" to the Rotary Club for handling the 2008 Festival and maintaining the spirit & momentum of this important community event.
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 Society.
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The South Cariboo
Garlic Festival SocietyMISSIONThe South Cariboo Garlic Festival Society exists to build and reinforce our community's position as a desirable holiday destination by providing visitors with a World Class Celebration of Garlic - 'The Stinking Rose'.
The Society serves the following groups of people:
- Visitors
By holding entertaining, enjoyable, and worthwhile events
- Community Non-profit Organizations
Through donations from Festival proceeds
- Local Businesses
By increasing available tourism market size through higher levels of tourist visits
- Festival Vendors
By providing a venue for increased sales and market visibility
VISIONThe South Cariboo Garlic Festival will be the major annual tourism & cultural event in the South Cariboo. The promotion of GARLIC as a healthy & delicious food will be the essence of the Festival's future growth.
COMMUNITY
SUPPORTDonations are made to various South Cariboo non-profit organizations that actively support the event each year, usually through volunteer time or services. Specific allocations of monies are decided by the Festival Society each year following the annual Garlic Festival.
The South Cariboo Garlic Festival Society will support the local community by continuing to effectively carry out its stated mission.
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