Humans have eaten garlic for more than 9,000 years, by most estimates. Since 1989 the Hudson Valley Garlic Festival has paid proper tribute to the vegetable that most cooks treat like an herb.
Launched by Pat Reppert of Shale Hill Farm and Herb Gardens in 1989, the two-day event in Saugerties continues as a harvest celebration of what aficionados lovingly refer to as the ”stinking rose.”
This year’s fest will take place Sept. 26-27 at Cantine Field in Saugerties, with tickets ranging from $8 to $10 presale and $15 at the door. Kids under 12 years old are free.
If you’re gearing up for this year’s festival, here are five quick facts and attractions to look for.
The Hudson Valley Garlic Festival grew from humble beginnings
Founder Pat Reppert hosted the first festival as a promotional event for her up-and-coming small business. It exceeded expectations the first year, so she did it again, drawing more than 400 of her neighbors for the 1990 event.
In 1992, the Kiwanis Club of Saugerties took over hosting duties, moving things over from Reppert’s farm to Cantine Field. Following 1995, when a crowd of more than 40,000 people snarled traffic throughout the area, the decision was made to extend the festival to a full weekend.
Reppert passed away in 2017, but her legacy lives on in the popular festival and all the great causes it supports through the Kiwanis Club.
Dozens of farms and vendors offer a multitude of options
This year’s Hudson Valley Garlic Festival website lists 53 garlic farmers as having a presence over the weekend alongside 79 small-business vendors scheduled to set up in the Garlic Marketplace.
Even if you don’t think you like garlic, you’ll find something good to eat with no problem.
Artisans have their space in the festival, too
Food isn’t the only thing for sale. Expect 68 artisans and craft vendors in the marketplace this year. Find the full listing here.
Interested in learning more about garlic and how to cook it? The lecture tent will feature everything from cooking and pumpkin-carving demos to gardening workshops.
Then there’s the music. This year’s lineup of artists features blues, world fusion, dance, roots, and olden music spread across three stages. The Arm of the Sea mask-and-puppet theatre troupe will also be roaming the grounds for your entertainment throughout the weekend.
No waste left behind
The Hudson Valley Garlic Festival is a zero-waste production, aiming to keep at least 90% of its waste out of the landfill. Expect to see volunteers helping guests sort compostables, recyclables, and landfill waste at stations across the grounds to help organizers reach that goal and have minimal impact on the environment from this beloved event.
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