Hudson Valley Garlic Festival

Hudson Valley Garlic Festival. The festival is a celebration of garlic and its many uses, featuring a variety of food vendors serving garlic-based dishes, including Italian cuisine from Tuscany and Sicily, Chinese cuisine from Sichuan Province, and Mexican cuisine from Oaxaca. The event is organized by the Kiwanis Club of Saugerties, a local chapter of the Kiwanis International service organization, with support from Columbia County Tourism and the Dutchess County Tourism board. The festival has been recognized by The New York Times, USA Today, and Food Network as one of the top food festivals in the United States, alongside the Taste of Chicago and the Maine Lobster Festival.

● History

The Hudson Valley Garlic Festival was first held in 1989, founded by the Kiwanis Club of Saugerties with the goal of promoting the local agriculture and garlic farming industries, which are also supported by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and the United States Department of Agriculture. The festival was inspired by the success of other food festivals in the region, such as the Taste of Hudson Valley and the Berkshire Food Festival, which feature local food and craft beverages from Berkshire County, Massachusetts. Over the years, the festival has grown in popularity, attracting visitors from across the United States and Canada, including Toronto and Montreal, and has become a major tourist event in the Hudson Valley region, with support from I Love New York and the Hudson Valley Tourism board. The festival has also been featured on Food Network shows such as Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and Road Tasted, hosted by Guy Fieri and Jamie Deen.

● Location

The Hudson Valley Garlic Festival is held annually in Saugerties, New York, a town located in the heart of the Hudson Valley region, near the Catskill Mountains and the Hudson River. The festival takes place on the grounds of the Cantine Field, a large outdoor venue that hosts various events throughout the year, including the Saugerties Summer Concert Series and the Hudson Valley Fair. The location is easily accessible by car, with ample parking available, and is also within walking distance of downtown Saugerties, which features shops and restaurants such as The Saugerties Lighthouse and The Red Onion.

● Activities

The Hudson Valley Garlic Festival features a wide range of activities and events, including cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs such as Bobby Flay and Giada De Laurentiis, live music performances by local bands and musicians, such as The Hudson Valley Philharmonic and The Saugerties Jazz Festival, and garlic-themed games and contests, such as the Garlic Eating Contest and the Garlic Cooking Competition. Visitors can also explore the garlic market, which features a variety of garlic-based products and local crafts, including garlic-infused oils and garlic-themed gifts. The festival also includes a kids' zone with face painting, bounce houses, and other activities, sponsored by The Saugerties Youth Center and The Hudson Valley YMCA.

● Vendors

The Hudson Valley Garlic Festival features over 100 food vendors serving a wide range of garlic-based dishes, from traditional Italian cuisine to Asian fusion and Mexican cuisine. Some of the vendors include The Garlic Farm, Saugerties Farmers' Market, and Hudson Valley Food Trucks, which offer local food and craft beverages from Brewery Ommegang and Hudson Valley Brewery. Visitors can also sample garlic-based products such as garlic-infused honey and garlic-flavored ice cream from The Honeybee and The Ice Cream Factory. The festival also features a variety of local wineries and breweries, including Millbrook Winery and Newburgh Brewing Company, which offer wine tastings and beer flights.

● Attendance

The Hudson Valley Garlic Festival attracts over 50,000 visitors each year, making it one of the largest and most popular food festivals in the United States. The festival has been recognized by The New York Times, USA Today, and Food Network as one of the top food festivals in the country, alongside the Taste of Chicago and the Maine Lobster Festival. The event has also been featured on Travel Channel shows such as No Reservations and Man v. Food, hosted by Anthony Bourdain and Adam Richman. The festival's success has also led to the creation of other garlic-themed events in the region, such as the Garlic Festival of the Catskills and the Hudson Valley Garlic Harvest Festival, which are supported by The Catskill Center for Conservation and Development and the Hudson Valley Agricultural Alliance.

Category:Food festivals in the United States