Monday, August 12, 2013

The Binghamton Garlic Festival - A Message of Garlic and Hope

Area garlic growers gathered at the American Civic Association in Binghamton, this past weekend.

Since the ACA became the site of a tragic mass shooting on April 3, 2009 that left 14 dead, the garlic festival has become a symbol of hope, and recovery.

(How many garlic festivals can boast that?)
Inside ACA Lobby 2012

When I go inside, though, that is where the triumph seems complete.  The ACA wasn't closed, and it didn't move to a different building.  Its mission continues, stronger than ever.

Gift basket raffles were available (picture of basket from 2012- of course, we didn't win.) 
The number of vendors seemed down this year, which is a shame, because we appear to be having a banner garlic year.  But we enjoyed the chance to try some new garlics.
There was also a local vendor selling hand crafted mustard, garlic flavored food (and ice cream) for sale, music, and dancing. 
Dancers 2012 Festival
Music 2012

I didn't eat the garlic ice cream this year (still on my weight loss path, with another 15 pounds to go) but I can assure you the combination is not bad at all.

What kind of "ethnic" festivals do you have where you live?
Posted by at
Labels: , ,

8 comments:

  1. AnonymousAugust 12, 2013 at 11:46 AM

    Alana, as you know, I was in Binghamton for a year, for grad school. I didn't hear of the Garlic Festival back then (1976), so alas, I missed it. Also, I seem to have totally missed a shooting in 2009 there? Or maybe I blotted it out. Congratulations on the resurgence of hope through the Garlic Festival! Blessings--Kebba

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousAugust 12, 2013 at 11:48 AM

    Alana, as you know, I was in Binghamton for a year for grad school. Alas, I did not hear of the Garlic Festival, so I missed it back then. I am so glad that the Festival is serving as a means for resurgence of hope and good cheer in the area. Blessings--
    Kebba

    ReplyDelete
  3. Cerebrations.bizAugust 12, 2013 at 9:17 PM

    I guess keeping away the vampires is a critical civic function! (I thought Gilroy CA and update NY were the places for garlic)

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownAugust 13, 2013 at 12:54 AM

    Alana, I love this post. I just adore garlic too. I actually start panicking if we get down to one bulb in the house. !

    ReplyDelete
  5. Francene StanleyAugust 13, 2013 at 4:55 AM

    An English chef featured 'black' garlic on a program the other night. Apparently, it's baked at a low temperature for days and the cloves ferment. It gives off a sweet, aromatic taste. I'd like to try that.

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousAugust 13, 2013 at 4:57 AM

    Wow, I would love that. We have the Chilli Fest every July which is pretty hot!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Carolina HeartStringsAugust 14, 2013 at 6:31 AM

    Ok, I'm game. I'll try the garlic ice cream! But maybe after pizza or the like!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sophie BownsAugust 14, 2013 at 10:19 AM

    I love garlic! I made soup earlier and put a load in. It helps to keep the common cold at bay :-)

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting! Your comments mean a lot to me. Due to a temporary situation, your comments may not post for a day or more-I appreciate your patience.I reserve the right to delete comments if they express hate or profanity, are spam, or contain content not suitable to a family blog.

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)