Easton Garlic Fest Returns October 5

Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan is running for Northampton County Executive.

Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski wants to be Pennsylvania's next governor.

But next month in Easton, these two candidates will go after a new title: garlic champ.

The mayoral cook-off—with Panto, Callahan and Pawlowski teaming up with chefs from their cities—is just one of many things to see Oct. 5 and 6 when the Easton Garlic Fest returns for its 11th year.

In Panto's case, he'll be paired with Valenca executive chef Abe Lopez, this year's headline chef. It's the second year the festival has chosen a chef to headline, and a testament to how Garlic Fest is changing, said organizer Jo Moranville.

"I think what's happening is that Garlic Fest is hitting its stride," she said Tuesday during a news conference about the festival. "People enjoy seeing the chefs."

Lopez, who has appeared on the Food Network's Chopped, will be busy that weekend. In addition to competing in the three mayors contest, he'll give a cooking demonstration, judge the "Farm to Market" Iron Chef Cook-Off, and create dishes for Gastric Garlic and Dangerous Desserts contests.

The weekend will also include music, including headliners James Supra and Pitch Black, as well as a beer-tasting tent featuring local breweries.

Also Tuesday, organizers unveiled this year's Garlic Fest Poster, designed by local—but internationally known—artist Maciek Albrecht.

It shows Easton's Centre Square replaced by an inverted pyramid of cartoon garlic characters, and captures the festival's sense of "fun and whimsy," Moranville said.

Last year, Garlic Fest brought between 9,000 and 10,000 people to the city. It's one of the biggest daytime events in the city, if not the biggest, Panto said.

He's looking forward to a rematch against his fellow mayors. Moranville said it's an entertaining event, with all three mayors wearing microphones.

"There's a lot of garlicky air, and a lot of hot air," she said.

"Mostly hot air," Panto added.

Garlic Fest runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. October 5 and 6 in Easton Centre Square and along Third and Northampton streets.