The festival, known affectionately as “Garlicfest” for short, opens its gates up on Saturday morning at 10am. Over 200 vendors will feature an array of garlic-inspired booths, from garlic popcorn, to garlic wreathes, to garlic chocolate, there are the traditional items for garlic lovers and items for the more adventurous.Along with the garlic vendors, the event is widely known for its assortment of great food vendors. This year the event welcomes back favorites like Lemon Love, Pops (popcorn), Bart’s Ice Cream, Good To Go (dumplings), Loopy’s (crepes, espresso, and smoothies), and Sherri’s Crabcakes. Local food vendors include Bennington Lions’ Club, Ramunto’s Pizza, and Hound Dogs. Some new food vendors have been added including Reggae Boy Café (Jamaican food), Caja Madera (Mexican food), RJ’s Famous, and Vermont Botanical Beverages.
Music is always a highlight of the event. Saturday’s line up includes Aviva (10am), Hill Hollow (11:30am), Julie Shea Band (1pm), and The Legato Blues Band (3pm). Sunday’s line-up includes Ray Gifford (10am), Carma (11:30), Roadhouse (1pm), FunkintheTrunk (3pm).
Ramunto’s Pizzeria will be the featured “Beer and Wine Garden” provider for both days. Their tent will include Vermont Craft Brews, wine, specialty drinks like Garlic Bloody Marys & Garlic Margaritas, giveaways and raffles all weekend long.
Lindy Lynch, Event Chair, commented, “Every year this event seems to get better and better. We have such a dedicated group of individuals – from local businesses, organizations, to volunteers, staff and the community – that come together to make this event successful. Over the years we’ve seen visitors from as far as Texas and Alaska, even Germany and China, come to really enjoy all that Bennington and Vermont have to offer.”
Demonstrations begin Saturday morning and continue throughout the weekend on subjects including planting, growing, braiding, and cooking different garlic varieties.
The Kids’ Tent returns with activities from Home Depot, Gamer’s Grotto, Vermont Wooden Blocks, a juggler, bounce houses, as well as other fun events. The Roaming Railroad returns as transportation around the event.
MCing the Welcome Booth again this year are Michael Harrington, Bennington’s Economic Development and Community Director and Matt Harrington, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce. Each year they provide commentary on the event, garlic trivia, giveaways, dance-offs, information, music and interviews. Right across from the Welcome Booth at Gate One will be the Garlicfest Merchandise Booth featuring a revamped and new assortment of Garlicfest t-shirts, cozies, hats, stickers, mugs and more.
“Garlicfest is the town’s major event of the year,” states Matt Harrington, the Executive Director of the Bennington Area Chamber of Commerce, the organization that puts the Garlic and Herb Festival on. “We’re rolling out some new features, vendors and food which I think will excite people. Hopefully, we will be adding some WiFi capability up at the Village to allow people to share pictures and their experience using the hashtag #Garlicfest2016. I’m very proud of the team that continually puts on a world-renowned event. It’s a testimony to the volunteerism and dedication of our community to rally around this event each year.”
The cost for a one-day pass is only $6 online and $8 at the gate for adults and $2 for children 12 and under. A two-day pass is $10. Festival hours are 10am-5pm. Camelot Village is located on Route 9 in Bennington, Vermont. Parking is free.
For aspiring gardeners, garlic growers, garlic lovers or those simply looking for a fun way to spend a late summer weekend, the event promises something for everyone. For more information visit www.LoveGarlic.com or call the Chamber offices at 802-447-3311.
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