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Bennington gears up for 'Garlic Town, USA' celebration Labor Day weekend

Submitted by tim on


Photos courtesy of the Southwestern Vermont Chamber & Lorianna Weathers Photography 

Vermont Business Magazine On Saturday, September 2nd, Bennington, Vermont will embrace its title of “Garlic Town, USA” once again. This renowned celebration of garlic and agriculture, previously the award-winning Southern Vermont Garlic & Herb Festival, is brought to life by the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce with presenting sponsor M&T Bank.  

Year after year on Labor Day weekend, Bennington becomes a global spotlight for garlic enthusiasts. Acknowledgments include listings among Thrillist.com, The Travel.com, features in Yankee Magazine, Vermont’s Time-Honored Top 10 Fall Event, and consecutive accolades as the Best Event in the Region by the Bennington Banner and Manchester Journals. The official website dubs it as "Vermont's Biggest Family Farmers’ Market." 

In 2022, over 7,500 participants flooded downtown Bennington for the agricultural event. The local businesses experienced an economic boost, with an estimated $140,000 spent in one day.  


Event Layout

The festival spreads across fenced properties or “Cloves.” Major sites include: 

  • Clove A: Former Tuttle Lot at 113 Depot Street now including Village Garage Distillery 

  • Clove B: Former Bennington Station at 150 Depot Street including People’s Park

  • Middle of Depot Street: Ticketing, Merchandise, and Information Support 

Discounted tickets are available at www.GarlicTownUSA.com until the gates open at 10am on Saturday, September 2 (gates close at 5pm). Tickets grant access to the event all day and re-entry for both Cloves. On arrival, attendees' online tickets will be scanned, and each attendee will receive a wristband which provides access to the festival. Day Of Tickets will be available during the festival for cash and credit card sales at the ticketing tent on Depot Street. Online tickets will be available all-day as well. Family passes, senior discounts and veteran discounts are also available. Attendees must have a wristband to enter any part of the festival.  

The Festival Program with maps and vendor highlights, provided by Vermont News and Media, will be available in the Thursday Banner prior to the event, as well as at the Clove Gates. 

Vendors

With over 125 vendors, Mikaela Lewis, the Chamber’s Event Manager, assures a curated and diverse mix of products and foods. Garlic Town, USA boasts a high-level, juried vendor list that includes: garlic growers and produce farmers; specialty packaged food and drinks such as craft spirits, liqueurs, wines, Vermont cheeses, meats, maple syrup, pickled products, pestos, olive oils, sauces, spice and herb blends; wares and craft vendors offering handmade kitchen and home decor items, jewelry, pottery, clothing, artwork and much more. There’s something for everyone! 

Food Trucks

A paradise for foodies and garlic lovers alike, the Cloves will feature a mix of cuisines and food truck festival favorites like fresh garlic bread, specialty sandwiches, fried chicken, loaded fries, garlic burgers and hot dogs, fried pickles, even fried whole garlic cloves! Jamaican plates, Mexican street tacos and burritos, Mediterranean and Greek options, award winning crab cakes, gourmet macaroni and cheese, cheesesteaks, and many more garlic-centric options will be available. Don’t forget about treats and desserts like fresh mini donuts, ice cream, roasted kettle nuts and fudge, pretzels, churros, fried dough, shave ice, and of course fresh squeezed lemonades and crafted specialty drinks! 

Music

Two stages promise a day of continuous music and entertainment. Village Garage Distillery, a small batch craft distillery and restaurant located at 107 Depot Street, will provide Stage A at Clove A (Tuttle Lot). The lineup includes Carly Rogers, Whiskey West, and The McGuinness Brothers. 

Stage B at the Bennington Station Lot (Clove B), this year named “The Jim Woodward Tribute Stage” in honor of the late local music man, will be couched in People’s Park and will include GVH & Cindy Baxter, Kitchen Sync with Julie Shea, Buck2Fifty, and Made In The Shade. The music sponsor is Coggins Auto Group. 

Bar

Next to each stage will be bar setups that will be stocked full of Vermont beers on tap, wines, mixed drinks, as well as Garlic Town’s famous Garlic Margaritas and Garlic Bloody Marys.  The Village Garage Distillery will be providing the bar in Clove A (Tuttle Lot) and Ramunto’s will be providing the bar in Clove B (Bennington Station Lot). 


Transportation

Given the expected crowd, free designated parking areas outside downtown are advised and encouraged for residents and travelers alike: 

  • Ocean State Job Lot at 99 Bennington Square

  • Grace Christian School Lot at 104 Kocher Drive

  • State Building and Chamber of Commerce at 100 Veterans Memorial Drive 

Volunteers will be at each parking lot to assist in parking, as well as to scan any pre-purchased tickets online for quick access to the festival. Green Mountain Express will provide free transportation from the external parking lots to the event. Tractor rides will also be available through A&K Agriservices, making stops at the Walgreens parking lot at 194 North Street, the Merchants Park and Splash Pad, and School Street for access onto Main Street. T-Mobile is the sponsor of the free parking and transportation.  

Entertainment, Chef Demonstrations & Kids Activities

Back by popular demand is the Entertainment, Demonstrations & Kids Activity Tent in the middle of Clove B (Bennington Station Lot). Features at this year’s Garlic Town include returning favorite Chef Cara’s “When I Dip, You Dip, We Dip” demonstration. Chef Cara Thatch of couch + cork demystifies dipping oils, marinades & salad dressings, including the differences, when to use them, how to pair them and more. Taste some delicious, garlicky dips and dressings while Cara explains how to construct each, why to avoid too much acid in your marinades and so much more. Next up: calling all future superheroes & princesses as World of Wonder provides a star-studded photo op at noon. Bring your braintrust at 1pm for Jim Thatch’s Garlic Trivia followed by Doug Eash’s Magic Show at 2pm. And last but certainly not least, it’s back - the Garlic Ice Cream Demo! This session will explore how to prepare garlic before using it in a recipe and everyone will get to taste a few different flavors of couch + cork's homemade garlic ice cream. You don't want to miss what is always the most popular demo of the festival! Sponsors of these features and tents include Maple Leaf Realty, Simmons Financial Group, Gamers’ Grotto and couch + cork. 

Garlic Town Merchandise Store

Each year the Garlic Town, USA merchandise store practically sells out of merchandise as patrons get their lasting souvenirs from the festival-managed booth. This year will feature an array of t-shirts, including a special limited edition design celebrating Bennington landmarks and its love of Garlic drawn by local artist Ahmad Yassir. A highly-requested similar version of the coveted tie dye t-shirt featuring the Garlic Town logo will be also available for purchase. Another crowd favorite, Garlic Town’s tongue-in-cheek kitchen aprons return with prints including “Take Your Cloves Off” and “I Like Big Bulbs and I Cannot Lie” options. Other merchandise available will include youth and toddler “Little Stinker” t-shirts, shopping tote bags, handmade garlic bulb hats, magnets, ball caps, keychains, stickers, drinking glasses and show your stinkin’ Garlic Town pride all year round!

Promotional Video for 2023: 

Socials:

Downtown Bennington

Downtown merchants will host sidewalk sales throughout the day, while area restaurants offer unique garlic-centric specials throughout the week. The Better Bennington Corporation will host JUNIOR Garlic Town in Merchants Park Splash Pad Stage on that Saturday from 12pm - 5pm featuring young entrepreneurs and their products. 

Volunteer Participation

Over 100 volunteers, dubbed the ‘tie-dye army’ for their distinctive tie dye shirts day of, will facilitate the event. Those interested can volunteer the week prior to the event as Depot Street transforms into Garlic Town, as well as various positions available on the day of the festival. Volunteers will have a Kick Off Party and training night on Thursday, August 31 at the festival site sponsored by Ramunto’s. The Bank of Bennington is sponsor of volunteers for this event. Those interested can register at: www.GarlicTownUSA.com/stinkin-volunteers/ 

Additional Sponsors

A special thank you to our media sponsors Vermont News and Media and Old Mill Road Media, as well as small business sponsors Seniors Helping Seniors, Hayden Plumbing & Heating, K&E Plastics, Mirabito Energy, Juniper Lane, Vermont Paws and Boots, and VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region. 


A Word from the Producers

"It's always a magical experience seeing Bennington transform into 'Garlic Town, USA' every year," says Matt Harrington, Executive Director of the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce and producer of the festival. "The spirit of the community, the commitment of our vendors, volunteers and sponsors, and the enthusiasm of thousands of attendees is a testament to the lasting charm and importance of this event. In 2023, we aim to create an even more memorable celebration for all garlic and agriculture enthusiasts." 

"Every year, as we plan Garlic Town, USA, it's not just about celebrating garlic or the vendors, but it's about creating an atmosphere where community, culture, and commerce merge," shares Mikaela Lewis, Event Manager of the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce and co-producer of the festival. "The surge in vendors and the return of crowd favorites are indicative of the love and dedication that has gone into this event for almost 30 years. 2023 promises to be another sensational year, and we're ecstatic to welcome everyone once again!" 

For the latest updates, check www.GarlicTownUSA.com. Garlic Town, USA is an annual fundraiser for the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce who provides local business assistance, destination marketing for the region and economic development.  

About Garlic Town, USA:

Garlic Town, USA celebrates produce vendors, crafts, artisans, and the essence of the Garlic Fest in downtown Bennington, Vermont.


Source: (Bennington, VT) – August 15, 2023