Garlic Festival this Saturday in Bonners Ferry

David Ronniger’s interest in garlic goes beyond its taste and health benefits.

The owner of Ronnigers Potato Farm in the Moyie Springs area has been growing garlic for 34 years. He sells its seeds throughout the country and fresh garlic locally.

Ronninger is among 25 to 30 vendors expected for the Garlic Festival 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, in the City Parking Lot in Bonners Ferry. He plans to have fresh garlic and garlic braids on hand.

The festival goes back to 2006.

“That was the year they were redoing the parking lot downtown,” said festival organizer Sora Huff. “We decided to have a garlic festival to let people know where we’re located. It was a huge success so we decided to keep it as a regular event.”

“We have many people in the community who have been growing garlic for years,” Huff continued.

Among them is Ronniger, who likes to eat garlic raw.

“It has an oil that no other vegetable has,” he said. “It’s a very good medicine to expel worms and parasites and is a strong immune system builder.”

As for the taste . . .

“It just has a pungency in it,” Ronninger said.

A garlic cook-off competition will be held during the festival. All dishes must contain at least 6 cloves of garlic, preferably locally grown.

The different categories for the competition will be meat or fish garlic dish, vegetarian garlic dish, garlic condiment and garlic dessert. Judging will take place between 10 and 11 a.m.

Live entertainment will be provided by Mark Kitchen.

“It is a fun time,” said Huff. “Come meet your neighbors.”

A Farmer’s Market is a place where you can buy fresh, local produce, plants and whole foods from the people who grew and made them. At our market you’ll also find locally made farm & garden crafts and gardening items as well.