Once again the 25th annual Garlic and Arts Festival is back and ready to entertain you on the field in Orange on September 30 and October 1. We are so glad to welcome lots of new younger folks to the Organizing Committee. They have brought new energy and ideas to the planning. We share in the notion that all things are possible when we work together in cooperation and community. This is what gives us hope.
For those of you who have been annual visitors to the fest over the years, much has remained the same. We still have the Main, Family, and Spoken Word stages to entertain, bountiful food vendors, amazing artists, friendly farmers, timely community organizations, chef demos, and hooping and games for all. But there are some new features that you should be aware of too.
- on the festival field (at the Family Stage where we highlight the North Quabbin Journey in a series of signs that display the wonderful things that have happened in the area)
- as well as in the historical narrative on the pages added to this website by local Kitchen Wizard and webmaster, Nalini Goodial.
The festival admission is even more family friendly this year. In celebration of 25 years of festival fun we are slashing the admission price to $5 per adults, seniors, and students for the whole weekend. EBT, WIC, and Connector Care cardholders and Kids under 12 are free. Credit and debit cards will be accepted at the entrances. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Once again we will be offering on-line ticket purchase in advance. And now you are able to click to purchase tickets on-line. Cash and cards will still be accepted at the Upper and Lower entrance gates. Please note that there will be no refunds if you do not use your advance purchase ticket. Your ticket dollars will support the Festival Community Grant Making which occurs annually.
The field layout has changed somewhat. The Chef Demo Tent, a popular destination, has been moved to an area adjacent to the lower parking lot, beyond the Healing Arts area. From the lower entrance turn right and walk towards the Portal and you will be there easily. The Field Map and Daily Schedules can be found here.
We are now offering a Parent and Baby Space! The Green River Doulas Network has kindly agreed to provide this service. It is a quiet space located near the Arts and Activities and Kid’s Tent, not too far from the Upper Dining Area. The Network is an association of independent doulas and related care providers who work with families during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. They serve the Pioneer Valley (Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden counties) as well as eastern Berkshire County, southern Vermont, southern New Hampshire, and northern Connecticut.
Science with Sophie will be in the Portal the Future. She is traveling across the nation on a Great American Road Trip in an all-electric pickup truck (Rivian R1S) and interviewing energy innovators along the way. This neuroscientist, comedian, and educator will visit us and be available to chat about science and energy conservation in everyday life. Can It Be Done? Can It Be Fun? Join her as she comes to make new friends, share her experiences, ask questions, and film for her documentary project. Be sure to stop by and say “hello.”
Representatives from the Youth Climate Action Now organization will be at the North Quabbin Energy tent. Look for them and engage in a conversation about their concerns for the environment.
