Garlic has been around for at least six thousand years. It has come quite a distance from its native Asia. This pungent seasoning adds quite the flavor to many different types of cuisine. People following the Mediterranean diet use garlic the most while cooking. If you don’t cook with garlic, attending a garlic festival can help you find ways to add this ingredient to many of your dishes.

China ships the most garlic worldwide. However, South Korea, India, Russia, and Egypt ship it out as well. Many people choose to eat lots of garlic, because it is a known source of vitamins A, B-1, and C. It is also full of magnesium, calcium, and iron. This smelly herb can lower cholesterol and high blood pressure, while also allowing a person to overcome colds and fatigue.

While you may use garlic for some of your daily cooking, you may not know everything you could about this amazing superfood. This is where the many different local garlic festivals come into play.

National Garlic Day is in April. However, many garlic festivals are not held on that day. This means you can enjoy a garlic festival or two throughout the year as you travel for a culinary family vacation.

Garlic Festivals to Visit During a Culinary Family Vacation

Old Mistick Village Annual Garlic Festival

Attending the Old Mistick Village Annual Garlic Festival in Mystic, Connecticut is quite fun. You will find everything garlic related in Olde Mistick Village.

Farmers bring garlic, and fresh produce, to sell, while local restaurants serve up some tasty foods filled with garlic. Add in all the shopping opportunities and you will have a day-long event to keep you busy.

Stop into Clyde’s Cider Mill to watch apple cider being made. Then grab a gallon or two to take back home with you. Or drink while eating a slice or two of pizza from Mystic Pizza.

Midwest Garlic Festival

The Midwest Garlic Festival is in Terrapin Park in Elizabeth, Illinois. This free event allows you to purchase garlic from local farmers, as well as the fresh produce they bring.

There are many food vendors sharing how to prepare different foods with garlic. Many of those foods are for sale.

Music plays in the background, as you are wandering around, so do not be surprised if you start dancing with others who are in attendance. Although, your kids may roll their eyes, as you dance with strangers during your family vacation!

Maine’s Garlic Festival

Maine’s Garlic Festival is at Lake George Regional Park. When you are not enjoying the garlic and other foods, you can spend time playing a few games or listening to music. There is also an art exhibit to wander through before you leave.

I can easily add this garlic festival to your itinerary for your family vacation in Maine.

Gilroy Garlic Festival

The Gilroy Garlic Festival is at Christmas Hill Park in Gilroy, California. This outdoor festival offers more than two tons of garlic within the food that is served. There are also three stages of live entertainment, arts and crafts vendors, and a children’s area.

Of course, there are so many other activities you can do with your family while you vacation in this area of California. Allow me to personalize your itinerary, so you create memories to cherish for a lifetime.

Want to experience a culinary family vacation internationally? Check out these festivals in Ireland! 

Minnesota Garlic Festival

The Minnesota Garlic Festival is on the McLeod Country Fairgrounds. This is a family-friendly event that is full of garlic, food, and fun!

The farmers within this state grow more than seventy different varieties of garlic and it is used in everything there, including ice cream. You may want to skip tasting the ice cream, but honestly, you should try it! You may be surprised at just how good it is.

Check out the culinary scene in Portland during your next family vacation. 

China Bend Winery Garlic Faire

The China Bend Winery Garlic Faire is at the China Bend Winery in Kettle Falls, Washington. This garlic fair has been going strong for more than twenty years now. When you are not tasting the garlic, you can listen to music and drink some fine wine.

And since this is a winery, the kids will have plenty of space to play and have fun on their own during your family vacation.

Asheville WNC Garlic Fest

The Asheville WNC Garlic Fest is at Sow True Seed in Asheville, North Carolina. Garlic ice cream, garlic fudge, garlic cookies, and honey fermented with garlic are available to eat.

Make sure you check out all the food trucks, so you can find the garlic foods you love the most!

Click here to see all the amazing things you can do with family during a vacation in Asheville, NC. 

These are only some of the local garlic festivals in the US throughout the year. While none of them are on National Garlic Day, you can still enjoy garlic when you attend any of them. If you are looking for something different on your next culinary family vacation, you may want to visit an area near one of these garlic festivals. I can personalize your itinerary, so you have an amazing family vacation while making memories with the people you love!

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