WARDSBORO — Tropical storm Irene has not interrupted plans for the ninth annual Gilfeather Turnip Festival scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Wardsboro Town Hall and under a big tent, both on Main Street.
The free event takes place rain or shine, and is the largest community fundraising event supporting the town's public library.
The unique festival celebrates the Gilfeather turnip, first propagated in Wardsboro in the early 1900s by farmer, John Gilfeather. Gilfeather Farm still exists, right in the heart of Wardsboro, and the current owners carry on the tradition of Farmer John by planting a large crop of the heirloom turnip that originated on their farm at the turn of the century.
The festival has grown in popularity through the years as more people discover the culinary possibilities of the now-famous sweet tuber. It's exciting that a humble root vegetable – which some say is actually more of a rutabaga – has attracted much attention to the small town even after leaf-season has peaked, and all for a good cause as well.
This year, more than 100 pounds of Gilfeathers will be cooked for the event's signature Gilfeather turnip soup. Another 200 pounds will be given out to various Wardsboro chefs to prepare different recipes that will be featured as “turnip tastings” at the Turnip Café. Casseroles, slaws, soufflés, breads, cakes, pies are only a few of the many offerings that will appear on the “tasting table.”
The turnip cart outside town hall will be loaded with up to 700 pounds of Gilfeathers, many grown on neighboring farms such as Dutton's in Newfane or in local gardens. Turnips are sold by the pound and “they go fast,” according to the Friends' top turnip sales person, Cris Tarnay. She says, “they are hardy and easy to cultivate from seed, but shouldn't be harvested before a bite of hard frost. It acquires a notable sweetness after a frost and that sweetness is what makes the Gilfeather so special.”
The Turnip Café is located in the Wardsboro Town Hall and serves homemade cider donuts and coffee beginning at 10 a.m. followed by lunch and a la carte servings of turnip tastings plus the delicious, creamy Gilfeather turnip soup from 11:30 a.m. until the food runs out. Soup and tastings are available for “take out” or to enjoy at a sit-down lunch. An outdoor “soup station” is for event-goers who want to buy soup only.
The most exciting part of the Turnip Festival is the annual Turnip Contest. Contestants may register Gilfeathers (big, ugly or both!) from 10 a.m. to noon and then return to town hall for the announcement of the winners and ribbon awards immediately after the judging.
More than 30 craft and farmers' market vendors are set up inside Town Hall as well as outdoors under the big tent. The most popular booth is the Turnip Shoppe featuring apparel, accessories, books and movies all about the Gilfeather turnip, as well as many other gift items of local interest. This year, the turnip gifts on sale will fill one entire room in Town Hall.
Live music is always a big draw at the Turnip Fest. Visitors will be treated to the guitar and vocals of Jimmy Knapp, Wardsboro's strolling musician who annually serenades visitors with his original Gilfeather turnip ballad. Alan Bills and his band of talented musicians are also performing.
Festival admission and parking are free. The festival is a fundraiser for the Friends of the Wardsboro Library for the support of the Gloria Danforth Memorial Building, the home of the Wardsboro Public Library. For more information, call 802-896-3416 or visit www.friendsofwardsborolibrary.org.