Much of our country’s garlic is grown in California or imported from China, and Maine supermarkets typically carry it from far-flung sources.
But many farms produce it right here in Maine, not to mention the backyard gardeners getting into growing garlic over the past 50-plus years.
Those growers, and their customers, can gather in person again on the first weekend in October. The Maine Garlic Festival, a fundraiser for Lake George Regional Park in Canaan, runs for its sixth year Oct. 5-6.
The festival has grown every year, according to director Darryll White, and organizers expect up to 1,500 visitors over the two-day event.
In its early days, it was held at Crazy 4 Garlic Farm in Canaan, where it proved so popular it expanded into a partnership with the regional park.
Those farmers were the primary sponsors but have stopped selling garlic, so this year the event is sponsored by N44 Farmstead, an organic farm in Canaan that grows garlic along with other vegetables and poultry.
The change doesn’t mean a shift in focus, though, according to White. Vendors signed up so far offer seed garlic for planting, garlic powder, fermented garlic honey and even garlic nuggets.
A full weekend of live music and family activities accompanies the garlic side. Eight bands will play, including Lee Sykes, Chris Ross, bluegrass band Backwoods Road, Maine duo Sagittarius Rising, Brian Richmond and the Roy Hudson Band.
Activities begin at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, with a story walk through outdoor illustrations by Katie Kirwan, author of the “Charlie the Chicken Mushroom” children’s book series, which follows the adventures of a mushroom named Charlie and his vegetable friends. Each book includes a recipe for using one of the featured vegetables.
Book readings by Kirwan will be available throughout the day.
Other events include a bounce house, a straw bale maze and kayaks available to borrow for a paddle on the lake.
A full schedule and vendor list is available on the festival website. There will be a shuttle service from the nearby Canaan Elementary School when the onsite parking fills up.
Admission is $10 for adults or $15 for both days; children under 12 are free.
If you attended last year, you might think you need to bring your boots, but White said to leave them in the car this time: drainage was installed in the festival field this past winter.
