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Vol. 17, No. 46, Wednesday, October 12, 2022 www.LamontLeader.com
Andrew Garlic Festival welcomed back by huge crowds after 2-year absence Celebration was no stinker as 1,600 enjoy beautiful sunny day BY JANA SEMENIUK The 22nd annual Andrew Garlic Festival came back with a vengeance after a two-year hiatus from the COVID pandemic. Andrew AG Society president Carrie Hrehorets said attendance was high as more than 1,600 people came though the festival during a beautiful sunny day Oct. 8. “It was very successful with a good crowd,” she said. “We usually get around 1,400 to 1,500 so it was very good this year.” The jam-packed day began with a pancake breakfast courtesy of the local Lions Club, followed by a perogy lunch hosted by the Andrew Rainbow Seniors Club. “The perogy lunch sold out 10 minutes before they closed, and they sold 300 dinners” said Hrehorets. A colourful parade kicked off the afternoon where 25 entries filled the main street in Andrew. Neighbouring municipalities of Chipman, Bruderheim and Mundare joined in as well as a variety of floats and tiny semi trucks driven by the Al Shamal Shriners, and emergency vehicles from the Andrew Fire Department. Over 80 vendors made up the market, filling the Andrew Curling Arena with shoppers coming and going most of the day. “Every vendor was extremely happy (and) many of them sold out,” said Hrehorets. “You're just supporting your local growers and local crafts people and giving them a chance to make some money as well.” Meanwhile, 11 expert garlic peelers got their fingers warmed up for an intense garlic peeling competition. Hrehorets said a record was set here
when a woman peeled 13 cloves of garlic in one minute. “I’m pretty sure that’s a record,” said Hrehorets. The winner’s name was not available by press time. Children’s activities included pony rides, balloon animals, petting zoo, face painting, bouncy house and a craft corner. Beer gardens opened at 11 am, and guest speaker, Terry Levicki, gave a well attended presentation on garlic in an upstairs meeting room of the curling rink. A catered dinner was served at the recreation hall complete with family entertainment from Amanda Panda of HulaHoop Circus and musical entertainer Steve Hillis. Hrehorets said dinner tickets were sold out days before the festival. “We could have sold at least another 80 – 100 tickets,” she said. “We had to turn people away.” Hrehorets said 230 tickets were sold. Meanwhile, families across the province made the trip out to Andrew for the festival including Max and Jan McKeever from Grande Prairie. “We have family in Andrew, but we come for this (the festival),” said Jan. “We drove five and a half hours because we always enjoy ourselves here.” Andrew Deputy Mayor Merwin Haight said he was also pleased with how the event turned out. “Today was an awesome day for the village and for the AG society. It was a great parade and a good turnout for it,” he said. “The garlic festival is our biggest event of the year and I’m very proud to be a part of it, and to volunteer and help out.” More pictures Page 3
Amanda Panda entertains all ages with her acrobatic hula hoop feats. Photo: Carrie Hrehorets