Festival season may be winding down as the summer season comes to a close, but this weekend, Manitou will provide all the best a fair can offer to a region known for its festive spirit.
Manitou's Honey, Garlic, and Maple Syrup (HGMS) Festival will collect its attractions into one place — and one day — on Saturday, September 7th.
“It’s all held at our fairgrounds, which is attached to our arena,” says Juanita Cobb, chairperson of the HGMS Festival. “We set up tents and have the car show and everything all in the same area.”
Saturday kicks off with a pancake breakfast organized by the Kinsman Club, followed by a farmers' market tent, a crafters' market inside the arena, and a children’s tent.
In addition to the jams, jellies, and pies that tend to grace a farmers' market, Cobb says that vendors will keep a wide selection of fresh fruits and vegetables stocked all through the day, which is good news for fairgoers who would like to purchase everything that is in season in one convenient location.
For Cobb, who has been involved with the HGMS Festival for the past fourteen years, the craft tent is one of her favourite features of the day.
“I have a few people on my list that like a unique gift and I find the craft show fits that bill,” she says. “I actually start my Christmas shopping in September.”
There will also be a car show (with over 100 entries) in the afternoon, and a banquet dinner before a musical performance by The Janzen Boys at the Manitou Opera House.
The banquet dinner is something that the HGMS Festival does a little differently. The meal, which is $25, offers three meats, gluten free options, and a selection of cold salads, homemade pickles, desserts, and drinks.
“There's something for everybody,” says Cobb. “There will be [graduates] there to help you carry all your goodies to your table.”
From 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., Chef Devin Boulton will put on a free cooking demonstration with the festival’s eponymous trio — honey, garlic, and maple syrup.
“[Chef Boulton] has made a menu this year that [includes] honey dill glazed carrots, honey maple garlic pork chops, and pan-fried garlic shrimp,” says Cobb.
The demonstration takes place in the upper level of the arena in Manitou.
There will also be tribute performances during the afternoon at 1:30 p.m. The late Stew Clayton, a musician who is a fixture at the HGMS Festival, will be remembered and celebrated.
“We have 3 local musicians that are going to do a tribute at 1:30 p.m., so that is Will Sharpe, James Sharpe, and Charlie Howatt,” says Cobb. “Then Stew’s daughters are going to come along . . . as a backup band. They are The Yodeling Farmer’s Daughters.”
For the history enthusiasts, there will also be guided tours of Nellie McClung’s houses between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday. Cobb says that a shuttle will be available to transport fairgoers to this site as well as others.
“Jump on the shuttle to take your shopping back to the campground. It'll make the loop through town and drop you off at the different sites,” she says. “They'll take a loop through the car show [too], so you can see what's going on.”
The schedule for the transport will be posted at the arena and the campground.
Regardless of what one chooses to do at the Honey, Garlic, and Maple Syrup this weekend, it’s sure to be the perfect way to spend a Saturday. For the full schedule of events, click here.
~With files from Ty Hildebrand~