Just how many varieties of garlic you can sample in one day?

Saugerties — The Hudson Valley Garlic Festival, in its 19th year, is a celebration of the garlic harvest, presented by the Kiwanis Club of Saugerties. The festival will take place on Saturday, Sept. 29, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 30, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., at the Cantine Field, in Saugerties, N.Y. The festival includes a visit to the garlic marketplace, with tons of gourmet garlic and lots of free samples of garlic varieties, and the Food Alley, featuring garlic-enhanced foods. There’s sausage, pulled pork, garlic soup, garlic green beans, and even garlic ice cream. Cooking demonstrations will be given by chefs, including top North America herbalist Pat Crocker, as well as chefs from the Hudson Valley. Instructive garlic growing and braiding talks, including our featured speaker, Betsy Williams, who specializes in garlic’s use in decorative arrangements. Other speakers will be David Stern and Bob Dunkel, of the Garlic Seed Foundation, and Ted Maczka, known to many as the “Johnny Appleseed of Garlic,” who will provide tips for growing garlic in cold climates. Many forms of entertainment will abound, including bluegrass, Cajun, ragtime, folk, and ancient instruments. There will be an arts and crafts area featuring over 80 vendors, with garlic-themed items for sale, a poster contest, a children’s tent with activities for the kids, and a slide and bounce ride for younger children. Sponsors are Sawyer Savings Bank, M and T Bank, Price Chopper Supermarkets, and Hannaford Supermarkets. For maps, directions, information about overnight accommodations and much more, visit www.hvgf.org, call the Garlic Festival hot line at 845-246-3090, or e-mail the director of Hudson Valley Garlic Festival publicity, Mike Campbell, at mike@hvgf.org. Admission is $7 at the gate; $5 in advance. Visit the Web site or call for more information. Children under 12 are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. All proceeds go to worthwhile community causes.