Tasting Events
Check out these two tasting events in the Pungent Plaza on S. Third Street at Pine Street.
Each event starts at noon on the day indicated.
Tickets go on sale half an hour before the events start at 11:30 am.
Tickets are cash only. A limited number of tickets are sold. Tickets are NOT sold online in advance.
Gastric Garlic People's Choice Contest SATURDAY
Be one of the 400 lucky people to sample and judge the best garlic dish created by chefs from local restaurants. You determine which chef will take home the coveted Garlic Bulb Winners Plaque. This event is a garlic lover’s dream! $10 entry fee (cash only).
Dangerous Desserts Contest SUNDAY
Be one of the 200 lucky people to sample and judge the best garlic dessert created by chefs from local restaurants. You determine which Chef creates the best sweet garlic magic. You have to taste it to believe it! $10 entry fee (cash only).
Stinkin' Culinary Stage
SW Quadrant of Centre Square
3 Mayors’ Cook-off SATURDAY 1 PM
Easton Mayor Sal Panto with Executive Chef Abe Lopez of Stoke (this year’s EGF Headline Chef) versus Phillipsburg Mayor Todd Tersigni with Chef/Owner Sal LaDuca of LaBella Via versus Hellerown Mayor David Heintzelman with Bobbie Gianguzzi of Brooklyn’s Catering as they battle it out in the garlic head-to-head judged cooking competition. Come cheer for your favorite city!
Mystery Basket Cook-off SATURDAY 3 PM
Be in the audience to watch Executive Chef Abe Lopez of Stoke vs. Executive Chef Steven Lenhoff of Maxim’s 22 go garlic head-to-head in a judged competition. Our own Easton Farmers’ Market will provide the mystery ingredients, all locally sourced farm-fresh food!
Hometown Heroes Cook-off SUNDAY 1 PM
City of Easton Police versus City of Easton Fire Department versus Easton Emergency Squad will have their departments’ best cooks competing in a judged competition.
Iron Chef Cook-off SUNDAY 3 PM
Watch Executive Chef Cristian Gonzalez of The Shelby go at it with Esteban Morales, Chef/Owner of Morales Catering in this showdown similar to the popular TV show.
Live Music
Enjoy free live music on two stages this year.
The Big Easy Easton Brass Band 12:15 pm
The Big Easy Easton Brass Band will lead a New Orleans-style Second Line Parade through the festival. All are welcomed to join in and march along with them!
Sizzlin’ Latin Quarter
Northampton & 2nd Streets
Saturday
10 am – 6 pm – DJ Nino
12-1 pm – Colombian Singer OMAIRA (Colombian popular music)
3-5 pm – Pancho Bongo y su Orquesta (Salsa band)
Sunday
10 am -6 pm – DJ Nino
12-1:30 pm – Sohia Matlock (drum circle & singer)
2-4 pm – Fabricio (Latin Pop singer)
South 3rd Street Beer Garden Stage
S. 3rd & Ferry Streets
Saturday
11 am – 1 pm: Jealous Monks – The Return of Acclaimed Lehigh Valley Roots Rock
1:30 – 3:30 pm Lisa Bodnar and Whistlegrass – Grammy Nominated Genre-Bending Original Fun
4-6 pm The Fab 60’s Revival Band – Philadelphia’s Finest Dance Floor Rock and Roll
Sunday
11am –2 pm: Fish Eyed Blues – The Jersey Shore’s Best Catch for Original & Classic Funky Blues Rock
3-6 pm: The Caren Kennedy Formula – Scientifically Proven Harmonic Rock Fun
Earl the Accordionist will also be playing as he strolls around the festival both days. Stop to say to him and get a selfie!
Little Stinkers Row
We know kids like to STINK IT UP as much as adults do. So we’ve dedicated a section of the festival to them. Here’s what they can find on Little Stinkers Row on N. 3rd & Church Streets.
Pony rides, moon bounce, karate chopping,
& a face painter (fees apply)
Sign up - Culinary Kids Cooking Contest 11 am
Sign up for a chance to participate in the Culinary Kids Cooking Contest. Five kids between 8 and 12 years old will be chosen to compete, creating a pasta dish for a judged competition. Sign up early and return at 1:30 pm to see if you are one of the lucky ones chosen.
Culinary Kids Cooking Contest 2 pm
5 budding chefs will create a garlicky pasta dish. Watch as they learn to cook and see who the judges choose as the winner!
Headline Chef
Easton Garlic Fest is excited to announce that this year’s Easton Garlic Fest Headline Chef is
ABE LOPEZ
of Stoke Coal Fire Pizza and The Colonial Pizza & Spaghetti House!
Executive Chef Lopez is a four-time reigning Garlic Fest champ who prides himself on being an esteemed member of the community, husband, and father of four. He is passionate about cooking and displays his skill daily at Easton’s Stoke Coal Fire Pizza & Bar. Lopez was recognized for his talent on the Food Network’s cooking competition show “Chopped.” A Queens, New York native turned Easton local, Abe looks forward to participating in the spirited competitions that Easton Garlic Fest features every year.