The Small-Town Harvest Festival In Maine Belongs On Your Autumn Bucket List
By Andrea Verschuyl|Published September 20, 2023
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Andrea Verschuyl
Author
Having grown up in Washington, Andrea is a self-admitted Pacific Northwest snob. In their opinion, there's simply nowhere else in the country with the Evergreen State's beauty. After attending university, Andrea devoted themselves to writing full-time. They're thrilled to represent Washington for Only In Your State while pursuing other professional and personal projects. They currently reside in Olympia, where they enjoy leaf-blowing their yard, perfecting homemade ramen, cuddling with their three tiny dogs, and feeding their pufferfish, Sea Biscuit.
Garlic lovers, unite! No one will be bothered by your breath at this delightfully quirky harvest festival in Maine. Every year, just an hour and a half from Portland, the small town of Canaan hosts Maine’s Garlic Fest. If you’re a fan of everything that’s good and savory, mark this wholesome event on your autumn calendar.
You'll find Garlic Fest on the serene shores of stunning Lake George Regional Park. Though organizers direct visitors to the east side for harvest fun, Lake George includes a dense network of beautiful and family-friendly loops.
For the reasonable admission fee of $5 per adult, they'll have access to a variety of wholesome activities. Kids 12 and under are admitted free of charge.
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There's no getting around the fact that garlic plays the starring role at this community-run gathering.
While younger guests busy themselves with age-appropriate fun like caramel apple dipping and pumpkin painting, adults will enjoy perusing these varied offerings.
Since the town began hosting the Garlic Fest five years ago, the event has gone from strength to strength.
Last season, allium revelers could rent kayaks, clink glasses at the cash bar, or unblock their chakras at free yoga classes. Sack racing through a corn maze is a perennial hit!
In 2022, 15 hours of music performed by born and bred Mainers created a celebratory ambiance.
Four thousand people showed up to celebrate garlic in 2022, armed with breath mints and a good sense of humor. The proceeds of the event benefit the park and regional vendors.
Garlic is king at Canaan, Maine’s Garlic Fest. You’ll love this allium exhibition’s quirky activities, earnest good fun, and small-town charm. Not nearby? I think this harvest festival in Maine is worth driving to! Its peaceful lake setting and lilting background music set the stage for memories you’ll treasure forever, and for lovers of garlic, it’s sure to become your new favorite fall tradition.
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