In early spring of 1989, a group made up of Chamber of Commerce members, city council representatives and other interested citizens formed a committee to plan a community celebration. We thought, "Every other community has some sort of festival, why not North Plains?" We wanted to make it a family-friendly event. The first "North Plains Day" was held on August 26th, 1989.

The day featured a parade, kids' games (sack races, egg toss, tug of war, etc.) A softball game between city employees and the fire department volunteers was an afternoon highlight along with a local talent show. A dance was in the early evening with band intermissions filled by the Sunset Promenaders Square Dance Club.
 

The first North Plains Day festival was attended by approximately 300 people. We only advertised the event in the North Plains Community. (We wanted to have a small audience in case we fell flat on our faces). The event was successful enough that the decision was made to make it an annual event.  

The Chamber of Commerce had been looking for a theme for North Plains Day and in 1997, Bob Gnos of Gnos Garlic Co. suggested that we try Elephant Garlic as a theme. In August of 1998 the first Elephant Garlic Festival was held and has become a very successful event. The attendance in the year 2000 was estimated at 15,000 over the three day weekend. This year's festival will be held on August 12, 13 and 14, 2005.