It seemed like a good idea at the time and still does. After the rain stopped, hundreds of people got up off their couches and ventured out to Forster's Farm to sample alternative energy systems, wood works, apples, organic foods, crafts and music.

Joshua aka Waffles the Clown was Mister Garlicbulb this year.

Hula Hoops in the Hayfield

 
Dog - in a bucket

Deva Skydancer makes wind chimes and jewelry out of antique forks and spoons

In 1998, Farmer Ricky Baruc was cleaning garlic under an oak tree at Seeds of Solidarity Farm in Orange lamenting the lack of retail venues for this beautiful crop in our immediate region. Woodworker and friend Jim Fountain stopped by to say hello, and the conversation expanded to include the many wonderful artists in the North Quabbin region who needed to leave the area for galleries and shows elsewhere. The two came up with the idea for a Garlic and Arts Festival. The following week, Ricky and wife Deb Habib, Jim and wife Alyssa Fountain, and another neighbor
and artist. Lydia Grey sat down to a potluck dinner and began scheming.

The first North Quabbin Garlic and Arts Festival was held in 1999 at Seeds of Solidarity Farm. The week before the first festival, a hurricane came through and the neighbors showed up with tractors, gravel, whatever necessary to ready the field and prepare for whatever crowds might show up. And they did, almost 1,000 strong many shuttled in by rented school bus from a local school parking lot, others by foot from nearby fields on Chestnut Hill Road, offered by neighbors for parking. In 2000, we moved the festival down the road to historic and more spacious Forsters Farm, where it continues to be held.