Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)—September 17, 2014. On Saturday, October 4, from noon to 3 p.m., Thorn Creek Nature Center will hold Garlic Fest, an afternoon of family fun celebrating organically grown garlic with recipes, cooking, crafts, hikes, planting & growing demonstrations, garlic refreshments, music and garlic galore. Doors will open at noon, no early birds please.
Allow the many fragrances and tastes of a wide variety of garlic to fill up your senses as you explore the organic garlic grown on Thorn Creek’s historic farm, delicious baked goods and wonderful treats with garlic baked right into them.
The Garlic Market Place will feature over 25 different varieties of garlic for sale to eat now through winter or to plant in October. Thorn Creek favorites that grow very well here in the Midwest are the soft-neck, robust flavored Inchellium, the strong tasting hot spicy hard-neck German, and Silver Rose a beautiful long storing variety great for braiding.
Free samples of raw garlic with a parsley “chaser”, which is the best way to discriminate between the different varieties, will tickle taste buds.
Garlic and organic gardening books, garlic roasters and keepers will also be available for purchase. On hand in the market place will be Garlic Gurus to answer all your garlic questions especially tips on planting garlic this October.
Mama’s Magic Manure, compost from animal waste, produced on local Poopy-Doo Farm will be on sale. Proprietor Emily Theil will share information on composting- the basis of all organic gardening.
Back by popular demand are cooking demonstrations with our chef Tim Chappell a two time winner of the Kankakee amateur chef contest. Sample items such as roasted garlic, pear chutney, garlic soup and much more and let your taste buds be the judge. Demonstrations will occur throughout the day.
An original graphite drawing by artist Marikay Peter Whitlock titled “Prairie Chapel” is available for a donation of $75 or more to the Friends of Thorn Creek Woods. All proceeds will benefit the preserve, which was the inspiration for the drawing.
Bake sale will feature many items with garlic – garlic chocolate chip cookies and the like- plus water, coffee & tea. Visitors can create a garlic braid to take home and learn how to clean garlic.
Peruse the handmade soaps, healing salves, bath salts and more of The Herb Basket with Maureen Chappell. Also for sale will be Thorn Creek T-shirts with an original garlic scape design and walking sticks. Purchase raffle tickets and take your chances on winning a specialty basket or item.
A great family afternoon adventure, Garlic Fest is for all ages. Parking is located across the street and admission is $5 per car or $1 per bike with $5 maximum bike charge per family. For more information, please call Thorn Creek Nature Center, 247 Monee Road, Park Forest, IL at 708-747-6320 or email [email protected]. The nature center is open to the public Friday through Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.
Source: Thorn Creek Nature Center
