Highwood's Second Annual Garlic Fest A Stinking Success!

Thousands of people came from across Chicagoland to Everts Park last evening to eat and drink a variety of innovative garlic dishes and cocktails.

Savory bites, including everything from tortellacci to fish to shrimp crepes, was doused in garlic. Even sweet garlic dishes gave attendees something to rave about: garlic-infused chocolate pretzels, garlic ice cream, and garlic kettlecorn with bacon were just a few sweet garlicy creations.

The people's choice winner for the Best Savory Garlic Creation is Pigtale Twist, for their Ridiculously Garlic Blue Dressing! For more information, please go to www.pigtaletwist.com.

The people's choice winner for the Best Sweet Garlic Creation is Maryann's Sweet Treats & Edible Art, for their garlic chocolate cookie! For more information, please go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/Maryanns-Sweet-Treats-Edible-Art/258340747518555.

Crowned and styled by Jordan Joseph Encore, the 2012 Garlic Queen winner is Susie Tingle! Over 16 contestants entered this year in the competition's second installment, complete with garlic wands and garlic hairdo's, and fun speeches were given.

It was a great evening, and fun was had by all who attended. A special thank you to the vendors for inventing some great garlic dishes, all the garlic guests, the Garlic Queen contestants, and our sponsors - Jordan Joseph Encore, Garden Fresh Market, & Van Gogh Vodka.

Next for the City of Highwood: Get fired up for Inferno Fest! September 12th in Everts Park, 4-9pm. Head to http://celebratehighwood.com/infernofest.html for more information.