By Anne Archer, Vermont Country correspondent.
Garlic Town, USA in downtown Bennington is a Southern Vermont festival deep-rooted in tradition. For over 30 years, farmers have come together during Labor Day weekend to honor garlic, a vegetable found in countless dishes created by chefs who would seriously consider retiring if the sticking rose were to disappear.
Fortunately, there’s no need to worry because garlic isn’t going anywhere, and neither is Garlic Town, USA – an event that has become a staple to the region.
“This is the Labor Day weekend event you don’t want to miss,” said Mikaela Lewis, event designer and manager at the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce.
In September, the festival will host some 7,500 visitors who will call on 130 vendors, listen to four Vermont bands, taste food from 25 food trucks, and partake in several family-friendly demonstrations – all while enjoying a cocktail or mocktail from Pearl’s at Village Garage.
GARLIC VENDORS AND MORE
Garlic Town, USA vendors offer an endless variety of garlic in all forms – bulbs in bulk, in braids, in swags, in bouquets, and creatively added to spices and condiments – filling the festival grounds in downtown Bennington with the vegetable’s delightfully savory, earthy scent.
Many garlic vendors, like the Hardy Family Farm selling Marjean Certified Organic Garlic and Quill Hill Farm selling five varieties of fresh garlic and garlic seed, have been participating in the festivities for years.
“This is year 11 for us,” said Laura Ramos of Quill Hill Farm. “Everyone comes in so passionate and excited about all things garlic with so many longtime customers coming by to say hi.”
Quill Hill Farm gets creative with garlic, turning it into garlic scape pickles, garlic scape pesto, garlic powder blends including maple garlic powder, garlic herb, and chipotle garlic, and eye-catching black garlic.
While garlic is the theme of the event, artisan vendors are dotted throughout, selling handmade jewelry, décor, pottery, T-shirts, and candy.
But it’s not all about shopping.
This year, the Chef Demonstration Tent is getting an exciting upgrade, giving returning guests a fresh experience with a new format and interactive presentations led by experts in their fields. Visitors can take part in a garlic braiding workshop, learn the basics of Home & Garden Composting 101, enjoy a featured chef demonstration, discover the culinary possibilities of black garlic during the Black Garlic Magic presentation, explore the health benefits of garlic with Dr. Jenn during Healthy Eating with Garlic, and, of course, sample the festival favorite—Garlic Ice Cream.
BANDS
The festival rocks with live music from Vermont-based musicians playing throughout the day.
Familiar favorites include singer-songwriter Julie Shea performing a mix of Americana, folk, and classic rock songs and Buck2Fifty entertaining the crowd with their smooth, Southern-flavored jazz sound.
New this year are Castleton-based family band Bird Mountain String Band playing upbeat folky bluegrass and The Velvet Wave, Bennington’s own five-piece 1960s surf-rock band with a jamming guitar sound.
FOOD TRUCKS
With 25 different food trucks, all preparing at least one garlic-themed dish, no one will go hungry.
Culinary options include dishes from Mediterranean, Mexican, Ecuadorian, and fair food favorites like fried dough, sausages, crab cakes, and freshly squeezed lemonade.
Pearl’s at the Garage will be serving food, cocktails, and mocktails from their establishment, conveniently located by the band stage. They will also have a satellite bar near the vendors.
NEAR ZERO WASTE
While Garlic Town, USA is rooted in tradition, organizers continue to find new ways to improve the festival experience. In recent years, the event has taken its composting and recycling efforts to the next level through partnerships with organizations such as the Solid Waste Alliance Communities Compost Committee, helping achieve “Near Zero Waste” status and setting its sights on becoming a fully Zero Waste event by 2027.
“Every piece of trash is brought to a hand sorting station with volunteers sorting between waste, recycling, or compostable food waste,” said Lewis, adding last year’s festival saved 4,000 pounds of waste from the landfill.
Starting from a small gathering in Wilmington, Garlic Town, USA has transformed into a forward-thing festival that brings farmers, music, food, and fun together.
“We’re a 30-year-old festival and we’re not going anywhere anytime soon,” Lewis said. “This is still a really important tradition that happens each year.”
Garlic Town, USA is on Saturday, September 5 at 113 Depot Street in Bennington from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. To purchase tickets or for more information about parking, band schedule, vendors, and “Near Zero Waste,” please visit Garlic Town, USA.
Anne Archer lives in Manchester, Vt. She is a regular contributor to the Manchester Journal.
