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Vol. 21, No. 3, Wednesday, October 15, 2025
25th Andrew Garlic Festival BY JANA SEMENIUK Chilly weather and sporadic rain did not stop the crowds from gathering in Andrew on Oct. 11 for the 25th annual Garlic Festival. Despite the weather, outdoor festivities charged ahead including the traditional parade, rock climbing, pony rides, zorb balls, ax throwing, bouncy castles and a special addition for the milestone anniversary; fireworks. Indoors, over 1,700 attendees enjoyed a market with over 100 vendors, entertainment, dancing, evening banquet, garlic bingo, and the muchanticipated garlic peeling contest. Organizer Carrie Hrehorets, president of the Andrew AG Society, said she is amazed at what her little crew of 10 volunteers are able to accomplish with organizing the festival every year. “We’ve been going since Wednesday but every evening we got so much done. It’s a good feeling,” she said. Hrehorets said the day is affordable fun for the whole family with only a $5 entry at the door. “Where else can you go (with your family) for $5 and have a whole day of fun for free?” The day started with a pancake breakfast, cooked to perfection by the Andrew Lions Club while local garlic grower Terry Levicki later gave a workshop on the finer points of growing the popular bulb.
Cold Lake resident wins garlic peeling contest
Five of the eight garlic peeling contestants are shown vying for the title of fastest garlic peeler at the Andrew Garlic Festival. Photo: Jana Semeniuk Emcee Paul Isaak entertained the crowd while introducing each slot of activity. The Half-Cut Family Band played a variety of music that got attendees on the dance floor and hands clapping in the audience. And then there was the food. Garlic parmesan fries, garlic popcorn, garlic mushroom soup, stewed garlic and even garlic vodka behind the bar. Hrehorets remembers how the Garlic Festival began with an idea by two ladies who worked with the local Chamber of Commerce. “They just had a tiny market and a couple of displays. They kept doing it every year, adding a thing or two, then
it started growing,” she said. “When we took over, we were green as ever. Then we started applying for grants and that really helped. The whole Garlic Festival costs $35,000 so you’ve got to make sure you are getting that money to cover it. “ In terms of the future, Hrehorets believes there is more in-store for the Andrew Garlic Festival. “Every year we try to think of improvements. Maybe we’ll attach a big tent to the hall so we can fit another 30 or 40 vendors,” she said. “Most of our money goes to entertainment and there’s always a way to improve things.”
BY JANA SEMENIUK The air was tense as eight contestants gripped their paring knives waiting for the signal. They had 90 seconds to peel as much garlic as humanly possible and win the coveted prize; an Andrew Garlic Festival souvenir mug and keychain in addition to the title of fastest garlic peeler in Andrew. Cold Lake resident Lavina Burge eventually out-peeled them all with 17 cloves. She said it was her first time competing and was surprised at her win. “I didn’t think I would win,” she said smiling. More photos Page 22
Lavina Burge, from Cold Lake, won after peeling 17 cloves of garlic in 90 seconds. Photo: Jana Semeniuk
St. Michael Hall gets makeover
Newly renovated St. Michael Community Hall.
BY JOHN MATHERr For three weeks in September all outside activities came to a halt at the St. Michael Community Hall. During that time, the group of young volunteers gave the hall a complete makeover. According to Mae Adamyk, a board member of the St. Michael Agricultural Society which operates the hall, a makeover was badly needed for the 50
year old structure. As part of the makeover, the walls were stripped of cladding down to drywall, holes were filled and repaired, the parquet floor and carpeting were removed, and the stage was relocated from the south end of the hall to the north end and all storage areas under it were rebuilt. Continued on Page 8