Cleveland Garlic Festival Returns to Shaker Square August 29–30

Northeast Ohio’s smelliest food fair returns to Shaker Square on Saturday, August 29 and Sunday, August 30, when the Cleveland Garlic Festival celebrates its 17th year. All proceeds benefit the North Union Farmers Market, a nonprofit that supports local farms and healthy food access through its network of certified producer-only markets across the region.

“This is the Midwest’s ground zero for all things garlic—think urban county fair meets foodie paradise,” says Emma Visnic, Director of Marketing & Outreach for North Union Farmers Market. “The Cleveland Garlic Festival is as much about community as it is about food.”

This year’s festivities run noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Visitors can look forward to garlic-themed prepared foods, cooking demos and competitions, farm-fresh garlic for purchase, live music and kid-friendly entertainment.

Garlic lovers can sample festival favorites like garlic fries, garlic shrimp and garlic ice cream. Less adventurous eaters can order food from vendors such as Cousins Maine Lobster, Piccolo Authentic Italian, Frankie Lynn Hotdog, Rooster Kitchen, La Campagna, Zanzibar, The Pierogi Lady and many more. Joining those prepared foods are vendors selling handmade pasta, fermented foods, artisan cheeses, fresh produce, baked goods, craft beverages, wine, donuts, lemonade and sweet treats.

For home cooks and gardeners, the Garlic Festival offers a dizzying selection of local garlic growers selling every imaginable variety for cooking and planting.

Watch local chefs compete head to head in the popular Garlic Grill-Off.

Now in its second year, the pitch competition by Les Dames d’Escoffier CLE showcases the next generation of women entrepreneurs in food, beverage, hospitality and agriculture.

Discount presale tickets are available now through the festival website. Admission at the gate will also be available.

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