Garlic Festival

This year's Garlic Festival embodied everything that's good about the Isle of Wight. Some of the best names in musical talent were fused together with first-rate entertainment, the finest arts and crafts and of course the cream of local produce to create an unforgettable weekend that was enjoyed by everyone. Even the weather stayed fine whilst the rest of the country was beseeched in heavy rain, proving that there are so many reasons to celebrate our magnificent Island!

Without doubt the organisers' were triumphant in their ambitious drive to establish the Garlic Festival as the Island's biggest summer show. A packed schedule consisting of stage and arena events, over 300 commercial stalls, fairground rides, vintage vehicles, edible treats to die for and a selection of chart-topping acts drew in the crowds by the thousand, making this the most successful year yet.

Ultimately the clue was in the word 'festival.' As visitors approached the Newchurch site from the road, they were immediately struck by the fact that this was much more than your average summer spectacular - it was a fiery fiesta of fun!

The variety of garlic was simply breath-taking

Over 20,000 people made their way from every corner of the Island with some travelling from further field to witness the well-renowned event, which was officially declared open by the Island's favourite actor Geoffrey Hughes. The advice was to arrive hungry and once inside the showground it was easy to see why! The unmistakable aroma of the world famous Isle of Wight garlic enhanced appetites and tantalised taste buds, transforming 'lunchtime' into an all-day experience to savour.

The range of delicious dishes on offer was overwhelming - the garlic flavoured everything, from hot crusty bread to moules, sweetcorn, prawns and lamb, to beer, ice cream, popcorn, olives, coffee and lots more! As always there were several new editions to the menu this year, including garlic hot dogs, garlic soup, garlic flavoured fudge, garlic chocolate, a probiotic garlic slimming aid and cheese and garlic scones; which were so popular they sold out within two hours of the gates opening!

Having recently returned victorious with a gold-medal from the Hampton Court Flower Show, the Island's Garlic Farm marquee was bustling with hungry people and enthusiastic chefs, who were eager to enjoy regular cooking demonstrations of quick and easy garlic dishes and peruse over the various varieties of garlic on offer. Pickles, relishes, chutneys and condiments, garlic gadgets, aprons and shopping bags helped to form an impressive display of stock, accentuated by hundreds of garlic plaits, bulbs and bunches.

Besides the garlic, there was a wealth of food outlets and an entire food marquee dedicated to fine Island produce. From meat and dairy products to fruit, vegetables and juices, some of Britain's best sources of nourishment were available to eat on the day or take away and enjoy later.

Starry-eyed music fans dazzled by retro and contemporary performances

A superb new stage welcomed some distinguished musical artists, supported as always by budding local talent. English pop singer Alvin Stardust took the crowd by storm on the Saturday afternoon of the festival, performing a selection of his top twenty hits. Stardust whipped the audience at the front of the stage into a frenzy of excitement which saw them take to their feet and dance along to a succession of his glam rock classics including "My Coo-Ca-Coo," "Jealous Mind," "You, You, You," "Red Dress" and "Good Love Can Never Die," plus a selection of favourites from The Beatles, Elvis and The Rolling Stones. Those who were happy to sit back and soak up the atmosphere were able to do so with a pint of Island Ale in the nearby beer tent.

On Sunday afternoon, London based psychedelic rock band Doctor & the Medics wowed the swarm of satisfied spectators surrounding the Bubblegum and Cheese stage with legendary eighties hits such as "Spirit in the Sky" and various classic party favourites. They were proceeded by up and coming ska band Orange Street who also delighted expectant crowds.

Popular Island names such as Derek Sandy, Crossfire, Goodbye Stereo, The Kurves, Lucid and the Apple Beatles all performed polished sets on the main stage throughout the course of the weekend.

A unique blend of food, music, showbiz and family fun

Family entertainment was the name of the game in the main arena, which saw the RSPCA dog agility and obedience team, LA Rock line dancers, Amazon Falconry and Ryde Extreme performers putting on fascinating displays, which captivated audiences who sat on hay bales three, or sometimes four rows deep. For the youngsters, there was fun with Pete Walkden and an amazing display of sheepdog handling by Bob Hogg and his ducks and geese, who were encouraged by the dogs to follow an obstacle course, with hilarious consequences.

Over on stage two, magician David Randini, the fossil man Martin Simpson and the Arabian Wights belly dancers were also on-hand at regular intervals throughout the day to keep the children amused. A unique feature of this year's Galic Festival was that you didn't have to be in a specific place at a specific time to be continuously entertained. One of the big hits with all ages over the weekend was the incredible 8ft tall Titan the Robot - who could be seen making his way around the site singing to unsuspecting bystanders and surprising everyone by lurching off his chair and skirting water at the fascinated huddle of people who constantly surrounded him.

Circus performers could also be seen to be wandering around the various marquees and stalls that housed a staggering array of arts and crafts and commercial merchandise. Other attractions included the IW Bat Hospital, the RSPCA, a climbing wall sponsored by the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, military vehicles, classic cars, helicopter rides and the opportunity to browse inside a selection of two and three bedroom luxury holiday homes courtesy of Park Resorts.

Pulling together to benefit our Island community

Isle of Wight Radio were broadcasting live from the site across the weekend and were giving listeners and festival goers the opportunity to win a Sky+ HD box, thanks to this year's new Garlic Festival sponsors Studiophase. Isle of Wight Council hosted an Eco Island tent to promote the benefits of recycling and participating in fitness activities whilst encouraging people to become involved in the Island's popular Walking and Cycling Festivals.

Besides providing visitors to the show with a memorible day out, the high attendance levels at this year's Garlic Festival will see more than 100 Island charities, clubs and groups, benefiting from funds raised. In joining forces with local businesses and organisations, over 100 entertainers and the best local producers on the Island, all of these concerns worked exceedingly hard to ensure the event's success and it is therefore only right that they should reap the rewards!

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