THIS ARTICLE IS A SPONSORED FEATURE
It’s not just garlic – full entertainment line-up includes family fun, feats of strength and highwire action, Frozen sing-alongs and live music.
This year’s Garlic Festival is shaping up to be the best ever – with the biggest and widest ranging line-up yet. From top chefs to million selling chart acts to one of the world’s strongest men – you’ll find it all at Fighting Cocks Crossroads, just outside Newchurch, on the weekend of 15th and 16th August.
Garlic Festival promoter David Holmes says:
“We can’t wait for this year’s Garlic Festival and we’re really excited about our line up which I really believe offers something for everyone, regardless of age. It’s the Island’s biggest summer show and this year we’re making the Food Theatre bigger than ever and we’re thrilled to welcome Rachel Khoo on the Sunday.
“Family tickets for the show are a priced at £25 and with all the other displays, children’s entertainers and live music it’s definitely an event not to be missed.”
Foodie heaven
It’s definitely a foodie weekend! TV chef and bestselling author Rachel Khoo, well known for Little Paris Kitchen and Rachel Khoo’s Kitchen Notebook, will be the star name in the Food Theatre. 
Rachel will be appearing on the Sunday and will also be signing copies of her new book.
This year’s expanded theatre kitchen will feature demonstrations all weekend from talented chefs and foodie experts, showcasing the best in local produce. Colin and Natasha Boswell from Newchurch’s Garlic Farm will be hosting demonstrations on both days, along with Garlic Farm chef Phillip Hopkins.
Anna Sacchini, owner of Ryde’s Ristorante Michelangelo will showcase the ‘soul’ of Italian cooking and will be cooking gnocchi – with garlic of course!
Salina Rahim-Campbell of L’ailolive will be bringing Malysian flavours to the Garlic Festival, via London’s Borough Market. Salina will be presenting Japanese Gyoza Dumplings using the Garlic Farm’s Elephant Garlic. We are also joined by Tessa Crosbie and Jessica Case, winners of the Fit2Cook competition for Hampshire and Dorset Year 8 & 9 students, from Christ the King College. They will follow Rachel Khoo in our Sunday line up.
Live music for all tastes
Music lovers are guaranteed a great weekend. On Sunday festival-goers can enjoy Angie Brown and The Rhythm Method. Singer songwriter Angie Brown is known internationally for her vocals on Bizarre Inc’s 1992 smash hit “I’m Gonna Get You Baby”.
Angie has worked with Chaka Khan, Fatboy Slim, Beverley Knight and Grace Jones. Angie also made a stunning appearance on BBC TV’s The Voice last year. Angie’s mix of club classics and classic soul will headline the Sunday line-up in style.
Earlier in the day it’s a chance to singalong with the hits of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, delivered by the Jersey Guys, the UK’s original tribute show to the smash hit musical Jersey Boys.
Hair Rock Experience
On Saturday the Garlic Festival goes stadium rock with the 80s Hair Rock Experience, bringing the music of Bon Jovi, Europe, Whitesnake, Queen and Aerosmith to the show.
Expect big choruses, big sing-alongs, and – of course – big hair. There’s also Bootleg Blondie, Europe’s official Blondie tribute band, who will deliver all of Blondie’s classics in stunning style.
Don’t miss strongman The Mighty Smith, three times winner of the UK’s Strongest Man competition, who will be performing feats of strength like bending six inch nails in his teeth, walking on a bed of broken glass and holding a chair – with a seated lady on it – in his teeth! It’s a family show with visual humour and audience participation, as well as a children’s tug of war with prizes.
It might be August but don’t miss out on getting Frozen with Ana and Elsa! Coming to the Garlic Festival from Disneyland you and the family can “let it go” with singing, dancing, a snow machine, games and the chance to meet and take photos with the sisters of Arendelle.
The Garlic Festival welcomes the Flying Seagulls Project, a charity workshop who thrilled the crowd at Glastonbury earlier this year. The team of experienced kids and street-style performers will bring bundles of energy and a carnival-style show with clowning and high-wire action. Look out for the team at their very own Gypsy Wagon stage!
Lamb National Sheep Race
It’s a welcome return to the arena for Bob Hogg and The Lamb National who were a runaway success at last year’s show. Bob’s team of working sheepdogs will inform and entertain, herding ducks around the assault course, followed by the Lamb National Sheep Race.
Adults and children alike will love the sight of the Herdwick sheep running down the track and over the jumps, all wearing brightly coloured coats and with jockeys on board.
Animal lovers will be spoilt for choice at this year’s event, with Haven Falconry bringing birds of prey and ferret racing. There’s dog agility from Wight Wizards and look out for the alpacas too!
Loads for the kids to do
Throughout the weekend you can take part in the Garlic Games, hosted by the beautiful and slightly pungent Garlic Queen. There’s a fancy dress parade and the IW Model Engineering Society will be steaming up with their miniature engines.
The kids can take on In2Action’s climbing wall and play inflatable aeroball and there’s magic from Randini with Punch and Judy.
Tickets
Tickets for the 2015 Garlic Festival are only available on the gate on the day of the show.
Adult tickets are priced at £9.50, with children (aged 5-15) at £5.
Under 5s go FREE with concessions at £8.50.
Family Tickets for two adults and two children are priced at £25.
Our thanks to The Garlic Festival for sponsoring this feature. They and other businesses taking paid promotion enables you to continue reading OnTheWight for free.
