A Visit to the Chehalis Garlic Festival and Craft Show

The Food is the Focus at Garlic Fest

Jonathon Devers offers Cupcakes for Kit Carson Restaurant at Garlic Fest.

Rodney Givens of the Backfire Band looked out at the crowd during the Friday evening stage show and quipped “it smells like garlic out there. Does anybody have garlic breath?” A good portion of the crowd raised their hands in commonality. “There may be bad breath, but there is some good food out there,” laughed Givens.

The Backfire Band played for the audience at Garlic Fest on Friday evening.

Food, especially garlic, wine arts and crafts were featured prominently at the Garlic Fest but one thing the casual observer at the 14th Chehalis Garlic Fest and Craft Show should have is a map. The vendors are a collection of artists and food enthusiasts that represent a diverse geographical spectrum.

The operator of “Garlic Festival Foods” in Gilroy, California, Gregg Staples enjoys some great food at Garlic Fest.

Take for example Gregg Staples, a vendor from Gilroy, California or at least so he says initially, in a conversation as he enjoyed some wonderful food of his own production at the Garlic Festival. In expanded dialogue, Staples admitted being a native of the Pacific Northwest but he and his wife live in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, and tour various Garlic Festivals with his company “Garlic Festival Foods”, largely to avoid the heat of home.

Elias Zamora ties bunches of garlic together for one of the vendors at the Chehalis Garlic Fest.

Under the roof of a Southwest Washington Fairgrounds Exhibition building, “Papa Rays’ had product set out in poetic and rhythmic fashion on shelves developed through experience. Visiting with customers was Monik and Ray Lansing from Spokane. “We go to a lot of these festivals but this is the most fun”, said Ray. “People here are friendlier and they take the food seriously”.

Down the exhibit row and around the corner Elias Zamora was tying bunches of garlic together. Zamora was slightly more extreme but typical of the vendors at the festival. After a little thought, he admitted that he lived a solid portion of the year in Tijuana, Mexico, but travels and works all over the west.

Chandra Runnels offers service to customers at “Kali’s Table”, a vendor at Garlic Fest.

To the west thirty yards or so, Chandra Runnels served customers at “Kali’s Table”, a merchant from Yelm. Like many vendors at Chehalis Garlic Fest, this one has an internet presence and displays at various garlic events in the northwest. The days of a brick and mortar restaurant in Yelm are now just a memory.

Jerry “JB” Bentley on guitar, Michael Shea with the saxophone and one of the “Shaker Girls” perform as “Blues Attitude”. The band from Olympia entertained the Garlic Festival crowd on Friday afternoon.

In the meantime, Winlock’s Meg Jordan enjoyed a weekend near home. This stop for “Just Jordies” is close to home but most of her weekends are spent in places farther from her residence in Lewis County.

Winlock’s Meg Jordan watches over her “Just Jordie’s” Delectable Culinary Delights booth at Garlic Fest on Friday.

It was Lansing of Papa Ray’s that explained the difference between the Garlic Fest in Chehalis and other similar events in the northwest. “We used to go to events in Nevada, but now attend festivals from Boise to the Canadian Border. Some of them are dominated by arts and crafts dealers and buyers but if you don’t like garlic, you shouldn’t be here” (at the Chehalis Garlic Festival) he laughed.

Bryce's Senior Photos

Bryce is a Senior at Winlock High School.  Not only is he an excellent student, but he is playing football this fall and has historically played basketball and soccer.  Some would call that a three sport athlete!  Regardless, Bryce's senior photo package includes three separate shoots over through the fall months.  This first one took place in Centralia with historic buildings as backdrops.  There will be more to come when we use the WHS athletic facility as well as a local creek setting.

Seniors in the Winlock, Toledo and Napavine area have rapid access to discounted wallet and 4 X 6 prints any time of the year! If you would like more information about High School Senior photos, please email us or contact GAP Photo at 360-508-7507.

Portland in Black & White

Sometimes there is a day to just play.  Remember how photography got in your blood to begin with.  In reality, it is a danger.  To those that can see them, there are images to be made.  We walk the streets, looking at all angles to see if they will expose themselves.  We must be careful not to become so engrossed and forget those objects that are not images.

On this Sunday, I decided to see everything in black and white. 

The city, not just Portland gives so much form and imagery that is just hidden amonst the clutter.  When one finds the images, it can be a special treat for the eyes!

Megan and Jacob's Wedding

Here are some of my favorite images from Megan and Jacob's wedding.  It is difficult to hold an unusual and beautiful event like this to less than a dozen photos, but if you want to see the entire story, please go to Megan and Jacob's Wedding at GAP Photo. 

and one parting shot for the future.....

We are now booking weddings in the fall and winter season as well as the 2011 spring/summer season.  Our prices are rising so get us soon!  Please contact us with your needs!

Sierra

These are a few sample photos from a quick photo shoot with 11 year old Sierra.

Leona Marie

From a long career as a rock guitarist with several acts in Las Vegas, Leona Marie is changing her tune in the Yakima Valley music scene.  We all wish her the best in the upcoming Colgate Country Showdown.

Music a Treat for the Ears and the Eyes

Some of you have probably been thinking that business has not been very good of late.  While it could always be better, I have been busy with many gigs that resulted in less than showy image collections.  There was a family reunion, a golf tournament, and a guided mountain climb with a group from Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Just hours after summiting Coldwater Peak neat Mount St. Helens, I was a guest photographer for The Backfire Band who was opening for country singer Travis Tritt at the Napavine Amphitheater.  They were a pleasure to listen to as well as photograph.

This was not my first shoot with the boys of the Backfire, but it was difficult to beat the lighting of a Western Washington late July evening.