OROVILLE – The 12th Annual Okanogan River Garlic Festival will be held Friday, Aug. 26 and Saturday, Aug. 27 at Tonasket’s History Park and Hot August Nights will be Saturday, Aug. 27 in Chesaw.

The garlic festival, which is sponsored by the Community Cultural Center, begins at noon on Friday and lasts until 8 p.m. and starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday and lasts until 4 p.m.

The festival promises garlic tasting, fabulous food, live music, dancing and vendors, as well as a wine tasting featuring local area wineries. “New for this year we’re adding a Bread and Cheese Tasting,” said River Jones, one of the event’s organizers. “It will be along the same line as the wine tasting.”

Jones said participants in the wine tasting will get a plate, as well commemorative glass for their $10. The two wineries participating this year are Esther Bricques and Okanogan Estate and Vineyards from Oroville. Bread will be provided by the Okanogan Bread Company and the cheese is by Larkhavin Farmstead Cheese.

“We have more than 40 vendors already signed up, there will be lots of produce, as well as fine artists, including a quite good painter who rarely ventures out. There will be all sorts of crafts vendors as well including fiber artists, woodworkers, stain glass artists, leather workers and jewelers,” Jones said. “We will also have several food booths again this year.”

New for this year will be a performance by the Mood Swings, who will play their oldtime 50s-type music on Saturday, according to Jones.

“Celebrate the Harvest, Savor the Pungent Bulb,” say organizers. For more information call the CCC at (509) 48601328 or check their website at www.communityculturalcenter.org.

The Highlands Community of Chesaw will present the second annual Hot August Nights event on Saturday, Aug. 27.

This year’s festivities include a car and tractor show and shine and dash plaques, flea market, swap meet and dinner.

Not only do they have dash plaques for those who participate in the second annual car show, but organizers have also ordered plaques for those who participated last year.

Hot August Nights is also bringing back one of the most popular features from last year — the decorated lawn mower and golf cart competition. Participants are asked to gussy up their mowers and carts for a judged competition.

Organizers say there will be dry camping available or you can camp at one of the many nearby lakes.

For more information call (509) 485-2174 or search for “ChesawTavern WA” on Facebook.