A Festival That Grew from the Ground Up: 30 Years of Garlic in Southern Vermont

Thirty years ago, a small farmers’ market in Wilmington, Vermont planted the seed for what would become one of the most beloved festivals in New England. Garlic Town, USA has since evolved, relocated, reimagined, and grown, always keeping its roots in agriculture, community, and flavor.

Here’s how Garlic Town, USA got here:

1995 – The Southern Vermont Garlic & Herb Festival begins in Wilmington, VT. A modest harvest gathering centered around garlic begins to build a dedicated regional following.

2008 – The Bennington Chamber of Commerce (now the Southwest Vermont Chamber of Commerce) purchases the festival from its original founders and moves it to Bennington. A new location marks the start of its modern expansion.

2009–2019 – The festival thrives at Camelot Village under event chair Lindy Lynch. Vendor count triples, crowds reach over 16,000, and Garlic Fest becomes one of Vermont’s most anticipated annual events.

2019 – In its final year at Camelot Village, the festival reaches a record-breaking attendance. That summer, Lindy Lynch passes away, and volunteers step up to deliver the largest event yet in her honor.

2020 – Amid COVID-19, the Chamber pivots and launches Garlic Town, a smaller, safer version of the festival spread across downtown Bennington. The event preserves the tradition while supporting local garlic farmers and small vendors.

2021–2022 – Garlic Town grows into its downtown setting. A new website, bar tents, chef demonstrations, and curated vendors recreate the full spirit of the original festival. Visitor spending surges and momentum builds.

2023–2024 – Garlic Town is officially designated a Vermont Signature Event, one of only a few awarded each year by the Department of Tourism and Marketing. With growing attendance and media coverage, Bennington becomes known throughout the Northeast for this “stinkin’ good” time.

2025 – Garlic Town USA turns 30. A full day of live music, over 130 curated vendors, bar tents, chef demos, tractor rides, tastings, and family activities will fill downtown Bennington. A special State of Vermont Proclamation will be issued live on stage, honoring the festival’s impact on Vermont culture, tourism, and community.

What Makes a Ticket Worth It

Garlic Town USA is a ticketed event, and that ticket supports more than just a day of entertainment. It’s the largest annual fundraiser for the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce, the region’s most active promoter of business, tourism, and economic development.

By attending, you’re investing in Bennington’s future, and you’re getting plenty in return.

Each ticket includes:

• Access to 130+ hand-selected vendors, each offering garlic-themed or Vermont-made food, drink, or crafts
• A wide range of international food trucks and farm-to-festival specialties
• Bar tents featuring garlic-themed cocktails, local craft beers, and cider, festival-wide drinking permitted
• Over 50 tastings with a “try before you buy” model
• All-day live music produced in partnership with Bennington Theater
• Chef demonstrations, including garlic ice cream and gourmet samplings
• Kids’ activities, magic shows, and free tractor rides
• Free parking at Grace Christian School and the Chamber lot, with shuttle rides to the gate

Use promo code “VERMONTSTINKS” at checkout on GarlicTownUSA.com to receive 10% off your ticket purchase.

Getting to Bennington Is Half the Joy

Bennington sits within a short and scenic drive of Boston, Albany, New York City, and Burlington. Visitors often say they’re surprised by how easy, and beautiful, the drive is. Routes pass through farmland, rolling hills, river crossings, and mountain views.

Free parking and shuttle service make arrival simple. Once you’re downtown, everything is walkable.

Music That Moves the Festival

This year’s lineup includes five live bands on the main stage, with genres ranging from indie-folk to funk and dance rock. The stage is powered by Coggins Auto Group and Bennington Theater, and every performance includes full professional production.

Expect high-energy sets, sing-alongs, and a musical backdrop to your entire day in Garlic Town.

2025 Garlic Town Music Lineup:

10:00 AM – Buck2Fifty: New Orleans groove to start the day
11:30 AM – The Julie Shea Band: Legendary local rock reunion
1:30 PM – like bunny: Indie-folk soul from Vermont’s Lani DePonte
2:30 PM – StartAgain: Alt-rock duo with full stage presence
3:30 PM – The Prescription: Eight-piece funk/soul finale

Culinary Showcases & Tasting Highlights

This year’s Chef Demonstration Tent, sponsored and produced by couch+cork, Bennington’s own virtual wine tasting business specializing in corporate team building, offers a deliciously interactive way to explore regional flavors. Guests can join the Graze Board Workshop at 11:00 AM, where couch+cork will guide attendees through the art of building a beautiful, garlic-friendly charcuterie board. The tent will take a break from demos from 12:00 to 1:00 PM, giving festivalgoers time to explore, shop, and snack. Later in the afternoon, don’t miss the Garlic Ice Cream Sampling from 3:30–4:30 PM, a festival tradition that perfectly captures the spirit of sweet and savory creativity. Come curious, and come hungry.

A Festival for Families, Too

Garlic Town USA is proud to offer an entire zone of family-friendly activities, thanks to our partners at The Gamer’s Grotto, Southern Vermont’s destination for card and trading games, used video games, tournaments, and tabletop adventures. This year’s kids’ area will feature a variety of creative stations, including kinetic sand, origami, bubble play, and coloring corners, perfect for engaging young festival-goers. Don’t miss roaming magician Doug Eash, performing sleight-of-hand magic and interactive tricks throughout the day.

Plus, thanks to A&K Agriservices, families can hop aboard free tractor rides looping through Downtown Bennington, offering a fun and scenic way to see the whole festival. Whether you’re visiting with toddlers, tweens, or teens, Garlic Town is full of hands-on fun and wonder for the whole family.

Who You’ll Meet (and Why It Matters)

Every year, more than 100 volunteers power the Garlic Town experience. You’ll spot them in tie-dye shirts and bright green compost aprons, helping with directions, composting tips, and event support.

You might also spot Miss Vermont, Miss Southern Vermont, food influencers, or members of the regional press, but the most important guest is you!

Garlic Town is built around welcoming people to Bennington. Whether it’s your first time or your fifteenth, this is a festival that makes you feel like a neighbor.

Make It a Full Weekend

Garlic Town is just one piece of a big Southern Vermont weekend. Consider extending your stay to enjoy:

• Evening concerts at various bars around town such as Union South, the 421 Craft Bar and Kitchen, and Harvest Brewing.
• Live performances at Bennington Theater
• Free Concerts in the Courtyard at Bennington Museum on Friday evenings
• Live music, art shows, and gallery walks at Monument Arts Center
• Outdoor trails, sculpture gardens, and river walks nearby
• Bennington’s various historic sites and walkable Downtown

Accommodations are available across all price points, from historic inns to family-friendly motels, and many are walkable to the festival grounds. Hotels, Motels, & B&Bs – Vermont Begins Here

A Festival That’s Working Toward Zero Waste

In 2025, Garlic Town is doubling down on its commitment to sustainability.

This year, the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce is partnering with local environmental leaders to make Garlic Town a near Zero Waste event. With the help of over 100 vendors, 100 volunteers, and regional waste experts, the festival is aiming to divert more than 4,000 pounds of waste from local landfills.

Highlights of this green initiative include:

• All food vendors are required to use BPI-certified compostable serviceware, no plastic utensils, containers, or harmful PFAS chemicals
• All food scraps and compostables will be processed at Long Trail Compost Facility in Bennington
• A team of 40 “Compost Crew” volunteers will manage five waste-sorting stations throughout the festival, helping attendees sort waste properly
• Vendor assistance crews will collect plastic film, sample cups, and returnables throughout the day

Last year’s festival successfully diverted over 80% of its waste, including:

• 2,988 pounds of compostables
• 700 pounds of recyclables
• Nearly 800 returnable cans and bottles
• 300+ gallons of plastic film

Leading the charge this year are compost coordinator Marsh Hudson-Knapp and Compost Captain Kathy Sollien. They’ve worked with every vendor to ensure compliance and provide training.

Educational programming will also be available, including:

• Home composting demonstrations by UVM Master Composters
• Recycling and food scrap education from Bennington County Solid Waste Alliance
• Garlic Town is proving that large festivals can be both joyful and sustainable, and it’s inspiring other Vermont events to follow suit.

Festival Details

Garlic Town USA – 30th Anniversary

Date: Saturday, August 30, 2025

Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Location: Downtown Bennington, Vermont

Discount Tickets: GarlicTownUSA.com – use code VERMONTSTINKS for 10% off

Follow: @garlictownusa on Instagram and Facebook

Planning Your Trip? Start at VermontBeginsHere.com

VermontBeginsHere.com is your year-round resource for visiting Bennington and Southern Vermont. From where to stay and what to eat, to hiking trails, events, breweries, live music, and family activities, we’re your insider’s guide to Vermont’s most welcoming small town.

Start planning your trip today at VermontBeginsHere.com and make this year’s Garlic Town part of a weekend you’ll never forget.