Written by Raeleigh Hall
On July 20, Reno Food Systems will host the free, third-annual Reno Garlic Fest from 4 – 8 p.m. in Reno’s Pat Baker Park. This multicultural event sponsored by the City of Reno, Artown, Be the Change project, and Reno Food Systems will be filled with the best of Northern Nevada’s local garlic for the entire family.
“This event celebrates local agriculture and encourages backyard gardening in Northern Nevada,” explains the Artown website.
Garlic proliferates in Northern Nevada, and you can learn how to grow your own by visiting the booths of local garlic farmers.
Photo courtesy of Artown
The event will kickoff with taiko drummers and Garlic Gurus, a question-and-answer session, at the northwest entrance of the park. Learn how to grow your own garlic and ask questions of garlic experts Earstin Whitten of Reno nonprofit Soulful Seeds, Arnold Carbone from Glorious Garlic Farm in Washoe Valley, Jana Vanderhaar of Reno’s Verdant Connections Landscape Architecture, and Katy Chandler from the Be the Change Project in Reno.
This year’s expansive lineup of booths includes local chefs’ innovative garlic creations, such asgarlic ice cream, garlic-crafted cocktails, and more. Food trucks will pair up with local farmers, who will exhibit their products and their wide variety of garlic flavors. View the entire list of local vendors and farmers on the Reno Food Systems website.
Prema Farm, just outside Reno, sells its garlic bounty at the Reno Garlic Fest. Photo courtesy of Artown
Enjoy family-friendly activities such as free face painting; live music from local bands Kicks! An American Band and Dancing with Clowns; and for the first time ever, the ability to watch local artist Nathaniel Benjamin create a garlic chalk mural throughout the entire event.
Reno Garlic Fest
4 – 8 p.m., July 20
Pat Baker Park, 1910 Bishop St., Reno
For details, visit Renofoodsystems.org/garlicfest.
Feeling garlicky? Support local garlic farmers and try out these local dishes made with garlic that are perfect for easy summer nights.
Honey Garlic Shrimp: Fitness expert Mena Spodobalski shares this easy, healthy shrimp dish with an Asian twist that’s perfect with rice and steamed vegetables or served all on its own as an appetizer.
Garlic and Goat Cheese Toast: In this video, edible Reno-Tahoe’s Jaci Goodman prepares this easy, aromatic appetizer that’s ideal for entertaining.
Raeleigh Hall is a freelance writer who loves cooking and trying out new recipes. She believes that you can never have too much garlic.
