There is a free Toronto festival dedicated to garlic and it’s happening on Sept. 27 at Allan Gardens.
This is the first year at Allan Gardens for the Toronto Garlic Festival, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary. The event features a full lineup of Canadian farmers, food producers, and makers.
“This year’s Toronto Garlic Festival will be the largest outdoor event the Friends of Allan Gardens has hosted! This is exactly what Allan Gardens was made for: bringing our community together while supporting incredible Ontario farmers and local makers,” said city councillor Chris Moise. “Entry is free, and I can’t wait to see everyone on September 27. Don’t forget to bring your appetite!”
Think garlic can’t be the centrepiece at a food festival? Think again. Here, farmers will show-off dozens of hardneck strains and fermented black garlic. Then there are small-batch food producers with garlic-forward preserves and garlic-inspired sweet and savoury dishes, including black-garlic desserts. There are even Canadian breweries, wineries and distilleries as well as artisan makers selling handmade garlic-themed goods.
There are also talks on garlic’s place in food and history, music, children’s activities, the Garlic Poet Laureate, and returning favourites including the Garlic Bulb Cracking Contest, the Vampire Costume Contest, and the Garlic Breath Contest.
The festival’s “Don’t Stink and Drive” campaign encourages arriving by transit, bike, or on foot.
Want to get in a garlicky state of mind? Check out one of the festival’s music playlists.
The Toronto Garlic Festival, a not-for-profit celebration, is presented in partnership with Friends of Allan Gardens, a community organization stewarding the park with the City of Toronto.