A ‘stinkin’ good time’ at Garlic Town USA
Originally published in the Bennington Banner in September 2026
Bennington brought a little flavor to Labor Day Weekend, during the 31st Annual Garlic Town, USA (previously known as Garlic Fest), which was held downtown on Saturday, Sept. 5. The annual festival brings local and regional garlic cultivators alike to town, alongside a variety of vendors ranging from local businesses, artisans and foodsmiths for a family-friendly day of food, live music, live demonstrations, and garlic. Four live musical acts, including Julie Shea, Buck2Fifty, Bird Mountain Stringband and Velvet Wave offered musical entertainment from the stage at Pearl’s at the Garage and Village Garage Distillery.
The festival was hosted by the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce (SWVT Chamber of Commerce), and was sponsored by Comprehensive Computing, Union South Pub and Provisions, Hoffman Car Wash, all three serving as Presenting Sponsors, along with other sponsorship categories, featuring Oliver Ford of Bennington, The Bank of Bennington, Coggins Auto Group, Heritage Family Credit Union, Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), MACK, Wise Oak-a Davey Company, Jack Miller Contractors, Wells Builders, Hayden Plumbing and Heating, and Vermont News and Media.
No official attendance count was available at press time, but organizers and patrons alike guesstimated thousands in attendance, gesturing at a continuous trend towards rising participation. According to organizers, over 1,500 tickets were sold for the event prior to opening, and an estimated 130 vendors were in attendance.
Garlic Town, USA has its roots in Wilmington’s Southern Vermont Garlic and Herb Festival, a quaint farmer’s market-style event that debuted in 1995. SWVT Chamber of Commerce brought the festival to Bennington, circa 2007, with help from the original festival organizers. The event has become a Labor Weekend mainstay for community members throughout the years, successfully weathering challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to SWVT Chamber of Commerce CEO Matt Harrington, the festival is a testament to Bennington’s strongest efforts to bring the community together.
“In a world where community is in question, this is a true showing of people coming together. Whether it is 120 volunteers, or thousands of people showing up, people are coming out to enjoy a kind of commonality and community effort. I think that when people come to Bennington, transformed into Garlic Town, they are coming for the garlic and vendors, but also for a great celebration on Labor Day weekend. It has become quite the tradition for people to come to town, have a great day, listen to great music and eat some garlic,” said Harrington.
