Sat 9/6 @ noon-9PM
Sun 9/7 @ noon-6PM
I remember exactly when I decided to start growing my own garlic. I had run out and made an emergency run to pick some up. When I looked at the tag on the bag that held the three bulbs of garlic it said they came from China. Since Northeast Ohio has the perfect garlic-growing climate, that made no sense.
The biggest problem with growing garlic, it seems, is remembering to plant it. Unlike the rest of your vegetable garden, it’s put in the ground in October. That’s why it’s good to have the Cleveland Garlic Festival, sponsored by the North Union Farmers Markets, in September: to get you thinking about, planning, and picking up seed garlic for your own crop. There will be farmers from around the region there with a profusion of garlic types for both growing and eating, as well as other locally grown, raised and produced edibles.
The festival also offers all kinds of food to eat on site, some containing garlic and some not. You’d have to be more adventurous than I am to try Mitchell’s garlic ice cream, made especially for this event, but apparently it’s very popular and they sell out. A children’s area features games, crafts and food tasting. There are cooking demonstrations and the crowning of Miss Garlic.
There’s also plenty of music going on both days, with an impressive lineup headlined by Akron-based zydeco rockers Mo’Mojo on Saturday and Cleveland’s most popular reggae musician Carlos Jones & his P.L.U.S. Band on Sunday. Also on Sunday you can catch the spectacular Shaw High School Marching Band who’ll be strutting their stuff to open the event at noon.
It takes place at Shaker Square, in the same street space as the Shaker Square North Union Farmers Market.
The Garlic Festival is a fundraiser for the North Union Farmers Markets. Tickets are $9 for adults, $5 for seniors and kids ages 3-12.
Photos by Anastasia Pantsios
Shaker Square, Cleveland, OH 44120