Set against a beautiful backdrop of rolling green hills and farmland, the Garlic Festival returns to Newchurch on 20th and 21st August 2016.
The show is food and entertainment at its very best. A vast array of eats, treats, sights and sounds to suit all tastes and ages. There are huge garlic and food marquees, cooking demonstrations from top 
Island chefs in the all new theatre kitchen, children’s entertainers, archery and a giant fun-fair.
Enjoy hundreds of Arts and Craft stalls and scrummy produce to tempt your taste buds.
There are businesses and market stalls, talented animals and arena entertainment. Plus, live music on the big stage, a big beer tent and straw bales so you can relax and enjoy the atmosphere. The main stage always features chart toppers and great Island bands.
If you haven’t been for a while check out this great video created after last year’s Garlic Festival.
What’s on offer?
This year’s expanded theatre kitchen will feature demonstrations all weekend from talented chefs and foodie experts, including Naydia Hussain – winner of this year’s Great British Bake Off.
The Garlic Farm will be on hand on to tell you everything you need to know about cooking with garlic, garlic for health and gardening. The giant garlic marquee will be filled with tasty garlic morsels to take home with you or eat on the day. Garlic fudge, olives and garlic bulbs of every shape and size!
Live music throughout the weekend
The big music stage this year features Miek Penders Searchers, Jona Lewie (if they can drag him away from the kitchen), the New Grass Cutters, Derek Sandy plus locals bands.
Wandering musicians complete the musical line-up, providing great atmosphere all day wherever you are around the festival site.
A pint of ale or a cream tea
Quench your thirst in the big beer tent and enjoy fabulous ales and ciders made on the Isle of Wight. Why not take a gentle stroll to the delights of the tea tent for cream teas and all manner of perfect pastries and dainty snacks.
The giant real ale bar and tea-tent are always popular – as is the delicious eye watering food court. Arrive hungry, there’s always a lot of delicious food on offer to suit all tastes – yum!
Family entertainment
Once again the packed arena schedule will keep you amused all day, including this year Bob Hogg and the Lamb National, a Garlic Festival favourite!
All sorts of talent, both human and animal, is featured in the festival arena, including falconry displays from Haven Falconry. You can meet the birds too in the Haven Falconry marquee.
Meet the Garlic Queen
Join in the fun with the Garlic Games and don’t miss the beautiful, if slightly pungent Garlic Queen – she’s always willing to pose for a picture.
Little children can enjoy bouncy fun on the many and varied festival inflatables. The mission is to entertain the whole family. There are entertainers galore and face painters, a one-man band and circus skills demonstrations.
You don’t have to be a child to love David Randini’s traditional Punch & Judy show and baffling magic tricks.
Fun fair and more
The Island’s biggest annual fun-fair pitches up, alongside classic cars, lorries, tractors, engines, trains, archery and nice people raising money for a range of good causes.
The Garlic Festival has gardening, plants, tools, furniture, even politicians and lots more. Even the Army, should you fancy joining up!
It’s worth coming along to see the Island’s biggest range of arts and crafts – found as ever in two giant marquees.
Supporting local charities
The Garlic Festival is not just renowned for food and fabulous entertainment.
It is also a major fund-raiser for dozens of local good causes, thanks to the generosity of our visitors.
Ticket prices
The show is open from 10am to 6pm on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st August.
Tickets can be bought in advance from Red Funnel (for £1 less) or on the gate for:
Adults £10
Children 5-15 £5
Children under 5 – FREE
Seniors £9
Family Ticket (2 adults, 2 children) – £27.50
Visit the Garlic Festival Website for more the latest info and FAQs.
Our thanks to The Garlic Festival for sponsoring this event feature. They and other businesses taking paid promotion enables you to continue reading OnTheWight for free
Image: © Derek Sandy by Riccardo Stanbridge
