Get your garlic fest fix in Richmond

Get the chewing gum at the ready, the 8th Annual Garlic Festival is on the horizon.

The non-profit Sharing Farm Society is hosting its ever-popular festival on Sunday Aug. 21, with the event being billed as a celebration of the “stinking rose.”

Past years have drawn in a multicultural crowd of more than 5,000 to this all ages event and this year is predicted to be no exception.

And with a mouth-watering lineup of food prepared by local chefs on the menu, there’s every chance of another sizable crowd filling the farm out at Terra Nova on Westminster Highway’s most westerly tip.

This year, the festival is promoting sustainable family living.

“No matter the age, every person in a family brings something to the family table,” said festival organizer Gretchen Gerish.

“Families have the ability to grow and evolve sustainably through mindful play, learning how food grows, healthy eating, and learning about the environmental impact of our daily lives.”

Food will still be the festival’s main attraction, with a fine supporting cast of live entertainment, an expanded farmers’ market, cooking demonstrations and a children’s area.

The festival’s participating restaurants and chefs have been challenged to create healthy, locally sourced, family-friendly meals with a garlic twist.

“I am thrilled to be able to support the farm,” said chef Karen McAthy, of Blue Heron Creamery, a five-year Sharing Farm contributor.

“I think it is essential for chefs to walk the talk with respect to the increasing challenges regarding food security and our food system.”

McAthy and her chef de cuisine, Eden Chan, will be serving up bites of their plant-based cheese sandwich with tomato tapenade, while her partners will be selling garlic-inspired, plant-based cheeses made specifically for the festival.

“As always, I am just excited to be out at the farm,” said McAthy.

“It is beautiful and the festival is such a unique experience from other food events in that it truly embraces inclusiveness and is accessible.”

For more information on the festival, which runs Aug. 21 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., go online to MetrovanGarlicfest.ca. Admission is by donation.