Sat 9/12 @ noon-9PM
Sun 9/13 @ noon-6PM
Do you keep forgetting to plant your garlic because it goes in the ground in October instead of the spring? One of the great things about the Cleveland Garlic Festival, now going into its sixth year, is that it not only gets our minds on garlic but its many garlic vendors give us the chance to stock up on a variety of kinds to plant.
Follow the giant head of garlic into the Shaker Square space usually occupied by the North Union Farmers Market, which sponsors the garlic fest, and you’ll find all kinds of garlic-flavored treats to eat on the spot (garlic fries, garlic, um, ice cream) or to take home. There are chef grill-offs, chef demos, a full lineup of music all day each day in the music tent, and a Mighty Locavores kids area with all the activities kids love including Outback Ray, the Flower Clown, chalk art, cooking classes, storytelling, a rock climbing wall and even a John Deere Combine Simulator. For the fist time this year, the Ohio Cheese Guild will have a tent because man cannot live on garlic alone. And there are dozens of area vendors selling all many of food-related products.
There’s even a Miss Garlic 2015, Mariah Thomas, and no, she was not chosen because she smelled the most like garlic, although she claims garlic soap helps keep her skin smooth.
Admission is $9 per day, $5 for seniors and kids 4-12. All money raised goes to benefit that activities of the nonprofit North Union Farmers Market in supporting connecting local farmers to those who want to eat fresh local food.