ORANGE — Vampires beware — it’s time once again for the North Quabbin Garlic and Arts Festival.

What started as a conversation about finding a new way to sell local products has blossomed into a beloved community tradition fondly known as “the festival that stinks.” The 26th rendition of this event is scheduled for the outdoor fields at Forster Farm, 60 Chestnut Hill Road, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, and Sunday, Sept. 29.

“I would say that some of the highlights of the festival are definitely that it is very family-friendly. The kids art-making tent is a wonderful space where kids can make free art,” said event co-founder and organizer Deb Habib, who mentioned there is no alcohol at the festival. “We’ve heard from a lot of people who appreciate that.”

This year’s theme is “Come and Get Your Love,” after the Redbone song of the same name. “I think that message, right now, is really important,” Habib said.

There will be at least 100 booths featuring regional artists, farmers, community organizations and healing arts practitioners, as well as three stages with a culturally diverse slate of performers. The Spoken Word stage nestled in the forest is expected to host at least 35 poets, many featured in a special compilation.

Diane Nassif, who for several years has partnered with Lou Leelyn to ensure a satisfying variety of art vendors, said guests can look forward to photography, pottery, jewelry, fiber art, upcycled items and more. The festival receives applications from artists across New England but prioritizes ones from the nine North Quabbin towns.

“Everything is handmade,” Nassif said.

She got involved with the North Quabbin Garlic and Arts Festival after moving from the Boston area in 2010.

“One of the first things that people said was, ‘Oh, you want to get to know people? Volunteer for the Garlic and Arts Festival,’” Nassif said. “It’s got a great mission and it’s a thriving group of [volunteers]. The organizers have been together for years. I don’t know how else to talk about it except it’s a real foundational part of the community.”

The idea for the festival came from a conversation between Ricky Baruc, Habib’s husband, and Jim Fountain in 1998. Baruc mentioned there were not many places to sell the garlic he grew on his farm and Fountain, a woodworker, said he had the same problem with his art. This led to another conversation with a group of five neighbors, each of whom contributed $20 to try and make a go of it. The first festival was held in 1999 at Seeds of Solidarity Farm, but that venue proved to be too small, so Dorothy Forster offered the land her father, Clifford Forster Sr., operated as a dairy farm from 1926 to 1941.

Among its wide-ranging attractions, the festival will once again have a tent in which six chefs will demonstrate specialty dishes over the course of two days. Michelle Gilman, who orchestrates the tent and the demonstrations, said different cultures and types of food — including Korean and Dominican — will be showcased. She said the chefs prepare the dishes on a propane stove that features an overhead mirror, so the action can be viewed by the up to 60 people the tent accommodates.

The festival will also feature the popular raw garlic-eating contest as well as the “Portal to the Future,” which promotes the benefits of renewable energy and being self-sufficient. The Rich Earth Institute will also be on hand offering workshops on topics ranging from pollinators to renewable power, and will transport back to Brattleboro, Vermont, all the urine in the festival’s portable toilets. The Rich Earth Institute recycles human urine into fertilizer to support sustainable agriculture and protect vital water resources.

No pets will be allowed on site or in parking lots, with the exception of service dogs. There is no ATM on site. Guests are encouraged to bring a bottle to fill with free water and a bag to carry any merchandise they buy.

The price of admission, good for the whole weekend, is $10 for adults and $5 for students, senior citizens, and EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer), WIC (Women, Infants and Children) and ConnectorCare cardholders. Children ages 12 and under will be admitted for free. Advance tickets are on sale now at garlicandarts.org. Cash or cards are welcome at the gate.

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120.