Think you know a thing or two about the pungent plant known as garlic? Spend this Saturday at the Garlic Fest at Thorn Creek Nature Center, 247 Monee Road, in Park Forest, and you'll qualify as a true garlic geek.

Organizers promise an afternoon of family fun Oct. 1 from noon to 4 p.m., with demonstrations in planting, growing and cooking garlic, as well as garlic braiding, garlic shopping, a bake sale, raffle and live music.

Roasted garlic, baba ganush, hummus, pesto and more are on the menu. Turns out, the best way to clean your palate between courses is a parsley "chaser."

The Garlic Market Place is expected to sell more than 25 different varieties of garlic, which you can munch on now through winter, or plant in October. Varieties include Inchellium, German, and Silver Rose, as well as Blossom and Xian from China; and Transylvanian from Romania. 

Participants will also learn how to clean garlic, taste-test organic garlic, and find out how to make their gardens grow without artificial herbicides and pesticides.

Admission is $5 by car; go green and bike, and get in for just $1.

For more information about Garlic Fest, call (708) 747-6320.