Image from the Verona Lion's club
The Verona Garlic Festival returns Saturday, September 5th. The annual festival is hosted by the Verona Lions and this edition marks its 20th year.
The free festival runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Verona Lions Club facility on Verona Sand Road, off Hwy 38.
Garlic growers and vendors will be on hand with locally grown garlic and other products, giving visitors a chance to stock up for the season and learn more about Eastern Ontario’s garlic-growing community.
Organizer Tyler Masse sets the scene
The Lion’s canteen will be open for breakfast and lunch, and it’s festival entry by donation with plenty of free parking, look for the entry signs. For the early comers, handmade frozen and ready to bake pies will be back by popular demand with flavors like apple, blueberry, bumbleberry, cherry, peach and more! At only $15 for a mouthwatering 9” dessert, they sell out fast!
The large number of vendors means plenty of fresh harvest, in addition to the stinking rose, and other wares. Most of the vendors come from inside a 100 km radius. This is a rain or shine event with both indoor and outdoor venues.
For the Verona Lions, the festival is more than a celebration of garlic. It is an important fundraiser supporting the club’s community work.
But there’s no doubt about the main reason this event draws great crowds, according to Masse.
Organizers are inviting residents from Verona and surrounding communities to make a morning of it, support local growers and vendors, and help the Lions continue their community fundraising. Due to health regulations, no pets are allowed on the site, but free dog sitting is available.
Learn more at veronalions.ca.
Story by Brian Turner
