By David Holmes
YOU CAN’T please all of the people all of the time goes the old cliché, but surely only the most determined grumpy visitor could have found fault with this year’s Garlic show.
This Island institution seems to go from strength to strength. Despite the best efforts of Saturday’s morning rain, the crowds did arrive, some of course, choosing to delay their visit until Sunday. This meant a busier second day and a bit of queuing. More importantly, it also meant they missed the return of the amazing Wurzels, true West Country crowd pleasers.
Sunday’s headliners were The Glitter band, now reformed with all original living members. The band seemed to prove the public have a fondness for the Glitter sound, even if the man himself did his best to destroy the magic.
The huge stage featuring many local musicians is of course just a part of the whole; still at the core of this festival is Island garlic and local produce of all kinds, proudly displayed by growers in enormous marquees.
The Garlic show really does have something for everyone; Titan the Big Brother robot was there for the third year running. His capacity to amuse and terrify remains undiminished. There were circus skills, world champion mountain bikers, talented animals, music, arts and crafts, dozens of food outlets and displays of all kinds.
The organisers claim up to 300 stalls and attractions in total. I wouldn’t bet against them being right. My kids enjoyed the Punch and Judy, Magic show, Fossil man, climbing wall, footie, funfair, ball pond, grub and of course, music.
Next year’s show (they say) is already at the planning stage, the music will be ‘better than ever’ it’s claimed. At one point on Sunday, I watched some older people enjoying the stage music. It struck me that for six or seven pounds, some of these visitors were getting a proper music festival experience, at a fairground price, rather than a hundred pounds plus. There was even an amazing big screen, to enable a close up look at the artists!
This was the 26th Isle of Wight Garlic festival; the next show takes place on August 20 and 21, 2011. I confidently predict it will draw the crowds for the 27th time. The now famous Garlic festival really is a great Island day out and something of which we can all be a little proud, however grumpy life makes us feel the rest of the time!
