Cornwall, ON – The 5th Annual Eastern Ontario Garlic Festival produced by Kozroots Community Empowerment Projects (KCEP) in partnership with the Eastern Ontario Agri-food Network is being hosted at Marlin Orchards and Garden Centre this Sunday, September 29th from 10 am to 4 pm.

“Marlin Orchards and Garden Centre is excited to be hosting the garlic festival showcasing garlic, artisans and local community groups. We have sponsored the decor with our plants at the event each year in the past, but have not been able to attend, so it is great that it is taking place on our grounds and we can participate” shared Diane Lunan who leads the family run business.

Marlin Orchards and Garden Centre has been a fixture in the region of South Eastern Ontario for over 50 years. They are located in the Township of South Glengarry, an hour and a half from both Montreal and Ottawa. The family owned destination spot offers locals and tourists original gifts, Marlin’s brands of honey and pickles, apples, high quality plants, and their famous hot apple donut.

“It is a place to be on any day, and we invite you to come to Marlin’s as we celebrate garlic, artisans, and community groups” said Brenda Norman, founder, and Community Projects Officer of KCEP. You can also enjoy the Apples and Arts Studio Tours going on throughout the region, and the opening weekend of the Pumpkinferno at Upper Canada Village.

As a local grassroots not-for-profit organization, KCEP has, at the heart of all its initiatives and projects, the goal of supporting the local community, agri-food and, of course, garlic in all forms. From pickled to powder, black garlic to whole bulbs, and seed and garlic scape products, you will find garlic galore.

There will be something for everyone. Baldwin House will be selling tickets to their Heart of Fashion event coming up on October 17th. Other organizations will be engaging the public regarding their initiatives and how they can get involved and access their services including: Habitat for Humanity, SASS, Canada Home Stay Network, and Warm Up Cornwall who will be accepting snow suits and winter wear donations on location. Bonville Garden, one of the producing partners, will offer workshops for beginners and expert gardeners. Other vendors will also facilitate activity at their booths throughout the day.

In addition, this year #eogarlicfest will feature tasty garlic food prepared by Thai Khmer Cuisine using locally produced food and garlic.

A highlight of the event will be tasting of the much anticipated  Counties Cider from Upper Canada Cider Company made with apples from the former Strathmore Winery and Tree Farm where KCEP carries out some of their agri-food projects.

There will also be a community art collaboration, and all sorts the apples and fall plants in the garden centre.

The event is free to the public, donations are greatly appreciated.More information can be found at kozroots.com