The 4th Annual Garlic Harvest Festival is about reconnecting community to the earth and celebrating the human endeavor…be it farmer, chef, storyteller, musician, solar installer, green builder or performer. Green grass, a warm day, shade trees and ripening tomatoes await guests on Saturday, July 22, 2006 to Table Mountain Ranch in Murphys.

Table Mountain Garden surrounds one of the oldest preserved historical ranch houses in the Murphys area. The old cattle ranch at one time was home to a dance hall that provided social entertainment to the local town folk. In the tradition of harvest festivities we invite you to enjoy good food, music, wine, garden tours, cooking demonstrations, informational booths and artisan market.

The old dry staked rhyolite creamery is the staging area for the garlic taste off and cooking demonstrations. The Garlic taste-off will allow festival goers to experience first-hand four of the 20 garlic varieties grown and rate the most popular variety. Farmers, Eric and Christine Taylor grow over 100 varietals of fruits and vegetables on three acres. Come see for yourself with scheduled farm tours and garlic talks throughout the day.

Three cooking demonstrations will feature locally famous chefs inspiring our appetites with their garlic centered creations.

The outdoor setting under large walnut and oak trees provides a comfortable atmosphere to enjoy performers and musicians and to browse the marketplace of local crafts and healers. Throughout the day food will be available from a spattering of local chefs that practice the art of seasonal cooking, bringing to you the culinary magic of the festival of the seasons. Relax and enjoy local brew and foothill wines.

The inspiration and passion for this year’s Festival comes from local talent making a difference in our community. Festival goers will be exposed to businesses and individuals working toward sustainability in the fields of building, medicine, holistic therapies, solar, fuels, and everyday living. You will be inspired and educated on topics of green building and solar design; participate in hands-on cob construction and witness the age of bio-fuels.

Something for everyone…Children’s activities will include locally renowned puppeteer Jennifer Aguirre, jugglers, storytelling, games, face painting, and art activities in a cool outdoor setting.

Admission: $15 (kids under 12 are free)

Sponsors include: The Harbinger, Table Mountain Garden, Calaveras County Slow Food

For ticket information, call 209/728-9112 or e-mail tablemountain@goldrush.com.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

Garden Tours will take visitors through Table Mountain Garden, an ecologically sustainable farm, in its summer peak of growth with over 100 varieties of plants.

Cooking demonstrations with local chefs highlight the preparation and use of garlic. Guests are invited to sample raw, roasted and sautéed four of the 20 varieties of garlic grown at the farm. And don't miss this year's Solar Oven Cookoff!

Children’s activities will include locally renowned puppeteer Jennifer Aguirre, storytelling, games, face painting, and art activities in a cool outdoor setting.

Music by local musicians, featuring Alma Melodiosa and Elysium Calling!

The festival atmosphere brings together examples of sustainable living technologies, informational booths, farmers market, artisans, and crafters.

For more information, the public may call 209/728-9112.