Photo by The South Florida Garlic Fest.
The South Florida Garlic Fest opened 23 years ago for a small celebration of food, community and family fun. The event has blossomed into an exhilarating tourist attraction that has seen over 4 million attendees and is recognized as one of the great food fairs, packed with gourmet food prepared by restaurant chefs, live music and refreshing beverages.
It’s one of the few places where you can sample garlic-ginger bacon, feast on garlic Argentinian barbecue and finish with garlic ice cream.
“The Best Stinkin’ Party in South Florida” takes place this year at Village Park Athletics Complex in Wellington on Feb. 12 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Feb. 13 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Garlic Fest has raised more than $620,000 for local nonprofit organizations, six of which are staffing the 2022 festival. The event involves more than 200 volunteers, several full-time personnel and over 25 contractors.
President and Executive Director Nancy Stewart describes the Garlic Fest team as relentless, resilient and passionate. The road to Garlic Fest success has not been smooth.
In 2005, Hurricane Wilma wiped out the town of Delray. Debris was everywhere, and power was out for 17 days. But the power returned three days before the event, and Garlic Fest opened to the community.
COVID-19 forced the 2021 event to relocate to Wellington Green Park with extensive safety regulations.
“We like to joke about what our slogan should be since we’re always on the move: ‘Garlic Fest, coming to a city near you soon,’” Stewart said.
The event has received dozens of international awards and been featured on the Food Network program “Unwrapped.”
“We try to keep the menu the same each year, so people can come back and satisfy their garlicky food cravings that can’t be found anywhere else,” Stewart said.
Photo by The South Florida Garlic Fest.
New this year is a free kids zone with bounce houses, human foosball, cornhole and more activities for children while their parents indulge in gourmet food and drinks.
The music lineup features Bradley Brown, The Kinected, Red Not Chili Peppers, Better Than Ezra, Fabulous Fleetwoods, Valerie Tyson Band and Earth to Mars: The Bruno Mars Experience.
Remembering which holiday is lurking around the corner, Garlic Fest is setting up a Love Stinks singles tent for those not looking forward to Valentine’s Day. Sign up at garlicfestfl.com/love-stinks for access to the meet-up lounge, which includes a covered bar, seating and icebreaker games.
Love seems to be a continuing theme at Garlic Fest events, which once hosted a wedding officiated by Mr. Garlic himself. Yes, the bride’s bouquet was made of garlic.
For more festival information and tickets, visit garlicfestfl.com.
