Garlic Festival adds spice with move to Ross Park Zoo in Binghamton. What to know

Visitors to the American Civic Association Garlic Festival Saturday in Binghamton will enjoy all their favorite foods and flavors from previous festivals, but in a brand-new setting.

The 18th annual festival — a community gathering of chefs, artists and performers — is making the move from the Civic Association's Front Street location where the event has been held each year to the Ross Park Zoo, a partnership that coincides with the zoo's inaugural Illumination for Conservation Lantern Festival.

“This year we wanted the festival to be a little bit different, so we collaborated with Ross Park Zoo," said Tamar Boyajian, the marketing and events coordinator for the American Civic Association. “We are so excited to partner with them and have the event be at their venue. We are anticipating a bigger turnout just by having it at the zoo."

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The Garlic Festival is the American Civic Association's largest fundraiser.

“We are the only immigration association in the Southern Tier so this event will help us raise money to help all the refugees and immigrant families that are coming to our community," Boyajian said.

Making plans to attend the festival? Then get ready for all things garlic -- including ice cream.

Festivalgoers get discounted ticket rate on zoo event

The festival will run from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. at the two pavilions below the parking lot on the right side of the zoo's 60 Morgan Road entrance.

Tickets are sold at the door, and are $5 for adults and $2 for children 10 and under.

Garlic Festival goers will also be offered a special discounted rate on tickets to the Lantern Festival, which features more than 40 nature-themed lantern sculptures all around the zoo. The Illumination for Conservation event runs through Oct. 15.

From spiedies to sausage, garlic is the star

Food is a major Garlic Festival attraction and there will be no shortage of choices at booths operated by the American Civic Association and from independent vendors.

Not unexpectedly, garlic will be a featured flavor.

“We have all kinds of garlicky food. However we can incorporate garlic, we are trying our best to do that," Boyajian said.

That includes ice cream, a delicacy Boyajian plans to sample.

“I have never tried it. Can you believe it? I am looking forward to trying it," she said.

Tastes running to more conventional fare? There will be chicken spiedies, garlic sausage, barbecued hamburgers and hotdogs, and garlic-centered offerings from many other cultures, including Jamaican food, organizers said.

Festival will feature multicultural music, games, prizes

The entertainment will include live performances from guitarists, bass players and other instrumentalists, while singers, Irish Folk dancers and a DJ will supply plenty of multicultural music.

A bounce house for children, along with games, raffles, prizes and much more will help provide a festive atmosphere.

Also look for vendors selling crafts, clothing, jewelry, pottery and more.

The American Civic Association is taking a wait-and-see approach on whether the zoo may become the permanent home of the Garlic Festival.

“This is our first time doing it with them, let’s see how it goes," Boyajian said. "We are thinking positive. We have high hopes. If it goes well and if it’s a better venue, why not do it again next year?”

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