CAN you smell the excitement?

It's nearly time for the annual Garlic Festival, and the event organisers have teamed up with the County Press to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a family ticket.

The winner will scoop tickets for two adults and two children to enter for free.

For a chance to win, simply email your contact details, including a phone number, to garlicfestival@iwcp.co.uk by Thursday, August 15.

Alternatively, post your entry to Garlic Festival Competition, Brannon House, 123 Pyle Street, Newport, IW, PO30 1ST.

The Garlic Festival takes place at its usual spot near Newchurch, on August 17 and 18.

At the heart of the festival is of course Britain’s most loved and pungent bulb, garlic, grown on the Isle of Wight by the multi award-winning Garlic Farm.

At the festival, visitors will find it everywhere, to eat, drink and buy.

Try out the black garlic Bloody Mary, or the garlic beer, available in cask throughout the weekend.

In the festival theatre kitchen will be the Island’s very own Michelin starred chef Robert Thompson, who will be cooking and talking seasonal produce.

In addition to the garlic is cute and cuddly animals, NFU roadshow, The Hogg Show featuring Snoop Hoggy Hogg, arena fun and games, a variety of stalls and a large marquee full of makers and businesses.

There will be Greatest Showman singalong parties, magic shows and traditional Punch and Judy, plus free arts and crafts.

The sweetcorn roast will be run by The Wave Project IW, raising money for its surf club.

There is also live music all weekend on the big stage, including former Rod Stewart guitarist Jim Cregan on the Saturday, and ex-Drifters member, vocalist Roy G Hemmings and his Motown Show on the Sunday.

Also look out for local bands, Baggywrinkles Blues Band, Ska’d for Life, 5 Fifty Fives, X-Directory and Blackfoot Daisy.