Those who call Lewis County home know there is no shortage of community festivals when summer rolls around each year.
From the celebrations of cheese and agriculture in Toledo and the once thriving egg industry in Winlock, to the off-beat Zucchini Festival in Oakville and the traditional Summerfest revelry in Centralia, we certainly know how to celebrate rare sunshine and historic significance here in Southwest Washington.
For the past 20 years, though, there has been one festival that has stood out if only for the fact that all proceeds go to charitable causes in the community.
Garlic Fest has been a staple of late summer, whether it was in the early days on a farm off Scheuber Road, or the more recent version at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds.
Each year, the event has brought garlic vendors and connoisseurs to the Twin Cities in droves. They line up to make purchases from local farmers and entrepreneurs to fill their bags with enough of the pungent member of the onion family to last months, and otherwise enjoy what has become the favorite festival of the season for many.
Unfortunately, it’s possible this could be the final year for Garlic Fest.
Organizer Judy DeVaul, co-owner of DeVaul Publishing, the Station Bar and Bistro and other enterprises in Lewis County, has efficiently and dutifully organized the festival since acquiring it nine years ago.
She hasn’t cashed in on the popularity of the event, instead choosing to divide the net profits among volunteers who work to raise money for a broad range of charitable causes.
Over the years, she estimates, more than $70,000 has been generated and put back into the community.
Organizing it all has not been easy. She announced this week that this year’s event, scheduled for Aug. 26-28, will be the last unless a person or organization steps forward to take it all over.
“We’ve poured our hearts and souls into it for nine years, and it’s just that time in our lives where we are looking to slow down a little bit,” she told The Chronicle. “It would be great if someone took it over, but if not, it’s a perfect time to say goodbye.”
We hope the event goes on in one form or another, hopefully with DeVaul’s same commitment to deserving causes in need of money. Those interested are invited to call her at (360) 740-5400.
In any case, DeVaul is deserving of praise and recognition for carrying on a tradition that has become an important part of summer life in Lewis County.
