By Susan McKee

Queen Elizabeth forbids the use of garlic in preparing royal banquets, but many of us love the pungent bulb – travelers and tourists may be among them. For those traveling in the next few months, perhaps a stop at a garlic festival would tickle a taste bud or two. Here are a few suggestions:

Elephant Garlic Festival

The 21st annual Elephant Garlic Festival takes place August 10, 11 and 12, 2018, in Jessie Mays Community Park, 30975 NW Hillcrest Street, North Plains, Oregon.

Hours are noon to 11 p.m. August 10, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. August 11, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. August 12. Note, however, if you want to partake in the annual garlic breakfast, it’s set for 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. August 11.

Admission is free. The event is operated by the North Plains Events Association for the City of North Plains.

Now, a word to the wise: elephant garlic isn’t actually garlic (which is a good thing if you find garlic too pungent). According to Wikipedia, elephant garlic (Allium ampeloprasum var. ampeloprasum) is a perennial plant belonging to the onion genus — a variant of the garden leek. It has a tall, solid, flowering stalk and broad, flat leaves much like those of the leek, but forms a bulb consisting of very large, garlic-like cloves.

Minnesota Garlic festival

Road Trips Foodies who are fans of the pungent bulb will converge at the McCleod County Fairground, 840 Century Avenue SW, Hutchinson, Minnesota, next month for the 13th annual Minnesota Garlic Festival.

Yes, there will be garlic ice cream, not to mention the ultimate in pop-up restaurants: The Great Scape Café. A full dinner menu will be served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Local Foods Tent — including The Pig Roast. Minnesota wine and craft beer</a> also are available for tasting.

Admission is $5 for adults, with children under 12, free. Parking is $1 per vehicle.

Minnesota garlic growers will have the first of their fresh gourmet garlic crop at the festival, and it can keep in your kitchen for up to a year. There are more than 100 varieties of garlic grown hereabouts, all planted in the fall, harvested in July, and ready just in time for the festival.

The Garlic Festival is a production of the Sustainable Farming Association.

Garlic Festival on the Isle of Wight

Even if the queen isn’t a fan, there are many Brits who are. In fact, the Isle of Wight is a hotbed of garlic cultivation.

Here’s proof: the Garlic Festival taking place August 18 and 19, 2018, on this island off the southern coast of Great Britain. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. You’ll find the fest at Fighting Cocks Crossroads, Bathingbourne Lane, Sandown, Isle of Wight, England.

There will be more to buy (and eat) than just garlic bulbs and garlic products, to wit: meats, vegetables, cheese, honey, wine, cider, and juices. Not to mention garlic fudge, garlic beer, garlic vodka, ice cream, popcorn, biscuits, scones, sweetcorn, and mushrooms. A “big beer tent” will offer ales and ciders made on the Isle of Wight, and, of course, there’s a tea tent.

The weekend program includes cookery demonstrations, presentations, and talks in the theatre kitchen. Representatives of The Garlic Farm will be on hand to tell you everything you need to know about cooking with garlic, garlic for health, and gardening.

It’s said that the country’s most pungent garlic is produced by The Garlic Farm in Newchurch. They have been growing garlic on the Isle of Wight for more than 50 years, and are the United Kingdom’s largest specialty garlic grower.

Laurel Highlands Garlic Festival

Headed to southwestern Pennsylvania in mid-August, Road Trips Foodies? Check out the Laurel Highlands Garlic Festival at Faranda Farm, 1171 Penn Avenue, Hollsopple, Pennsylvania.

It takes place August 18 and 18, 2018. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children under 12, and free for those 2 and younger. Among the vendors? Lots of locally-grown garlic!

The evening before the festival, there’s a Garlic Soiree to benefit the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra. Tickets for the farm-to-table buffet dinner are $45, and after the 5:30 p.m. dinner August 17 there’ll be entertainment.

Garlic and Harvest Festival in Connecticut

A Garlic and Harvest Festival is scheduled for October 6 and 7, 2018, at Bethlehem Fairgrounds, 304 Main Street North, Bethlehem, Connecticut. They promise roasted garlic sausage with peppers and onions, garlic chicken parm balls, garlic roast pork sandwiches, deep fried garlic, and garlic ice cream at the food court.

For more food festivals and other culinary events, check out Road Trips for Foodies.