Cuba NY:
The 18th Annual Cuba Garlic Festival will take place this Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 16 and 17, at McKinley Stables Block Barn at Empire City Farms south of Cuba on Rte 305. This event, presented by the Cuba, NY Chamber of Commerce, includes free parking, door prizes, giveaways, over 125 vendors, LIVE music, an amateur wine tasting contest, cooking demonstrations, as well as many other free and fun educational events. Tickets are $8 at the gate and ages 10 and under are free. No pets are allowed on the grounds. New this year, you have the option to avoid festival traffic! Park at Fireman’s Park, located at 100 Center St. $10 will provide you with a shuttle ride to the festival, entry to the festival, and shuttle ride back to your car.
The popular Cooking Demos will be taking place in the Stinkin’ Rose Tent on both September 16 and 17 at the Mckinley Stables grounds. All activities are coordinated by Debra Burch, Associate Professor and Chair of the Alfred State College (ASC) Culinary Arts program on the Wellsville campus. There will be cooking demonstrations and contests all throughout the days on Saturday and Sunday. The winners of the Carlos Wood Amateur Wine Contest will be announced Sunday from 2:30-4pm.
As always, the Garlic Festival will feature a variety of musical entertainment. Opening ceremony on Saturday morning will kick off with the Cuba-Rushford Central School Pop Group and Jazz Band. Josh Whiteman will perform at 12:30, followed by Casual Remix at 2pm. At 4pm, the Johnny Bauer Band will perform. On Sunday, the Chillbillys will start the day at 10am, followed by The Garlic Band at 12noon. Soul Medic featuring Julia Weatherholtz will wrap up the music for the day at 2pm. Bag Piper Beth Goldsmith and 23 Skidoo will be roaming the grounds throughout the weekend, entertaining all with their musical talents.
There are many activities for children at the Garlic Festival as well. On Saturday, kids have the op-portunity to do Goat Yoga at 12noon, and participate in other kids’ yoga sessions throughout the day. Nick Mambretti will put on his Super Hilarious Magic Show at 1& 3pm. On Sunday, Bwana Jim’s Wildlife Show will be at the festival all day—visit up close and personal with his animals starting at 9am, with shows at 11am & 2pm.
Popular local artist Eric Jones, well-known for his pumpkin carving and caricatures, will also show-case his talents at the festival. Be sure to catch other special guests this weekend including Black-smith Tom O’Connor, Niagara County Sherriff’s’ Department K9 unit demonstration, Garlic Seed Foundation speaker Bob Dunkel, Garlic Braiding demonstration by Michelle Scutt, Mr. Scribbles, Allegany County Cooperative Extension, Alfred State Western Equestrian Team, Winning Edge Horse Club, Mural Artist Vincent Alejandro, and New York State Birding and Nature Specialist Tim Baird.