Vermont Business Magazine Less than 12 hours after launching the “Garlic Fest 2018 Official Event –Sept 1-2” on Facebook, the Bennington Area Chamber reports that the event had 2,100 interested people and over 190 shares. The event is now at 12,000 interested on Facebook and just shy of 1,000 shares with little under two weeks to go until the event. This only proves that the beloved “Garlicfest” of Southern Vermont still has the interest and demand that has pushed it forward over the past 23 years.
This year the Garlicfest team, a committee of the Bennington Area Chamber of Commerce, with Lindy Lynch returning to the helm for her 10thyear, will introduce some new additions to the festival.
“What is key to Garlicfest’s success is that we continue to innovate and grow the festival,” says Lynch.“We know to get people to come back we have to introduce new vendors, new food, new bands and even some other things you probably don’t notice.”
This year the Garlicfest has partnered with the Rich Earth Institute to provide porta-potties and “pee-pods” that will be used to fertilize the fields after the festival.The Rich Earth Institute turns human urine into fertilizer. This pioneering work supports sustainable agriculture and protects vital water resources.
“It’s very Vermont and supports our beautiful environment!” Lynch adds.
This year has also seen the new concept of VIP Hour for people looking to get to the festival an hour earlieron SaturdayandSunday.The cost for the VIP Hour (and it includes the rest of the festival) is $20 online only (visitwww.LoveGarlic.comto purchase tickets).
“VIP is an idea we got when we did Wings and Winter Homebrew Festival,” states Matt Harrington, Executive Director of the Chamber.“We know there was a desire for many to get through traffic sooner, get better parking, receive a free festival bag from Manchester Designer Outlets and beat the crowds. VIP Hour seemed like a great way to help do that.Now people can come from9am to 10am, both days, before the general gates open, and our vendors have agreed to be open with many having special deals for VIPers.VIPers can come for just an hour, or stay the entire day.Just another way we’re enhancing the festival.”
Not to be diminished,the Garlicfest team also innovates with its selection of new and cool vendors.
“This year Garlicfest adds 30 new vendors including six distilleries; we are really excited to see new and different vendors come out. I think one of the best strategies for us and why people continue to return is our dedication to keeping fan favorites year after year, while also bringing in new vendors that offer new experiences,” Lynch remarks.
The 23rdAnnual Southern Vermont Garlic and Herb Festival will take place at Camelot Village on Saturday, September 1stand Sunday, September 2nd, 2018.In the past thetwo-day event was attended by over 15,000 people andhas been named one of Vermont’s “2018 Top Ten Events of the Year,” selected as a “Top Event” by Yankee Magazine’s Best of New England, considered as one of the Top 10 Garlic Festivals in the world and recently received the Bennington Banner Reader’s Choice “Best Event in Bennington 2018.”
The festival, also known as “Garlicfest,” has been a magnet event for the Bennington, The Shires of Vermont region and the state of Vermont drawing international crowds for more than two decades now.The weekend filled with of course, garlic, also entertains with over 20 food options, a beer and wine garden with Ramunto’s Pizza returning as the provider, eight live bands, and kids’ activities.Visitwww.LoveGarlic.comfor the full event listings including vendors, bands, food, and kids’ activities.
General admission opens upon SaturdayandSundaymorning at10am.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 are10am-5pm.Profits of the event go back to the Chamber to help with their programming, regional marketing efforts, future events, operations and mission to create a healthy business and tourism climate for the entire region.
Sponsors of the event include presenting sponsors TPW Real Estate and Carbone Auto Group of Bennington, as well as The Apple Barn, The Bank of Bennington, Manchester Designer Outlets, John Ray & Sons, Southern Vermont College, GVH Studio and Power Guru.
Camelot Village is located on Route 9 in Bennington, Vermont.
Source: Bennington Area Chamber of Commerce. For more information visitwww.LoveGarlic.comor call the Chamber offices at802-447-3311.