Lavender Festival features herbs, crafts, food, music Saturday

Tennessee’s only Lavender Festival returns for its 21^st year in Historic Jackson Square in Oak Ridge on Saturday, June 15. The festival is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“Celebrating all things herbal, crafts, local foods, and more, the Lavender Festival is free to customers, and last year attracted an estimated crowd of 11,000,” a press release said. “In addition to free admission, Lavender Festival also offers plenty of free parking in city and business lots surrounding Jackson Square.”

The festival is full of tradition and fun, and it always features something new, the press release said. For example, a traditional bagpipe player will open the festival at 8 a.m., playing from upper Blankenship Field into Jackson Square. Also keeping with tradition, Alan McBride will follow with the hammered dulcimer in the bandstand, the release said. A complete music schedule is included below.

The highlight of Lavender Festival will be the group of 150 artisan, herb, and floral vendors that will line the covered walkways of Jackson Square, the parking lot, and both sides of Broadway Avenue, which will be closed to traffic.

“You’ll want to visit the longtime favorite booths like Jericho Farms, Rainwater Farm, Wingshuck, Sunlight Gardens, Honey Rock Herb Farm, Erin’s Meadow Herb Farm, Harmonic Journeys, Daylillies, Stoney Clay Station, and Jeri Landers,” the press release said.

“New vendors this year include two in vintage campers: Brynn Coffee with hot and cold coffee drinks, and 65 Photo Lounge with a photo booth!” the release said. “The festival also has two new woodworking vendors, a bakery, a new pet product vendor, and more.”

For a complete vendor list and festival map, visit www.JacksonSquareLavenderFest.org.

The festival also features free children’s activities throughout the day, such as a street performer, Children’s ArtSpot, merry-go-round, and more, the press release said.

Free, informative presentations are held in the air-conditioned lobby of Pinnacle Financial Partners almost every hour:

• 10 a.m.—”Growing Lavender in East Tennessee,” by Rose Echols from LoCo Lavender Farm.
• 11 a.m.—”Atomic Seeds,” by Lindsey Freeman, sociologist and author.
• Noon—”Buzz About Bees,” by Mark Porter, beekeeper at Lukey Honey Farms.
• 1 p.m.—”Realistic Approach to Health and the Future of Naturopathic Medicine in Tennessee,” by Emily Cleveland-Job, N.D.

Also returning for its fourth year is “A Taste of Tennessee Wines,” from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., benefiting the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge. The tasting is hosted by Great Valley Wine Trail, which is made up of four independent wineries in East Tennessee. Your $10 tasting ticket is available at the gate (must be 21 and have valid ID). Tasters receive a complimentary wine glass, samples of about 24 wines, and can purchase bottles of Tennessee wine directly from the winemakers, the press release said. Wine can be enjoyed in the eating tent during festival hours.

Brunch, lunch, and snacks are served all day by several food trucks, caterers, and restaurants, including Lavender Ice Cream by Razzleberry’s Ice Cream Lab.

The Oak Ridge Farmers Market is open as usual across from the square from 8 a.m.-noon.

“Bring your cooler so you can shop for the freshest local produce, grass-fed meat, eggs, cheese, and bakery items, and still stay for the festival,” the press release said.

The Lavender Festival also features an Herb Luncheon on Friday, June 14, at noon. Call the Ferrell Shop if you are interested at (865) 483-0961.

The Herb of the Year, a designation by the International Herb Society, is anise hyssop. A bee friendly, medicinal and culinary herb, it will be featured in the Herb of the Year/Herbal tasting booth in front of the The Ferrell Shop, by Marie Bullock of Heavenscent.

The major sponsor of this year’s festival is Celebrate Oak Ridge, a nonprofit bringing events to the city. Cowperwood Company is also a significant sponsor. Also supporting the festival are Midway Tire, Trans Tech, Rebecca Williams Marketing, DoubleTree Hotel, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Larry & Margaret Allard, and a host of Lavender “Buds.”

“We appreciate their help very much,” the press release said.

For a complete list of vendors and more information about the Lavender Festival, please visit www.JacksonSquareLavenderFestival.org.

Here is the music schedule: 

• 8 a.m.—Andrew Pazant; piper, opens festival
• 8:15 a.m.—Allen McBride; hammered dulcimer
• 9 a.m.—Tanasi Winds; pop, jazz, classics
• 10 a.m.—Liz and Tim; Americana, folk, and traditional Appalachian
• 11 a.m.—Wild Blue Yonder; Appalachian Americana acoustic folk
• 12 p.m.—Early Bird Special; country, folk, and oldies
• 1 p.m.—Jeff Barbra and Sarah Pirkle; singer songwriters, roots music
• 2 p.m.—AM Station Band; classic rock

More information will be added as it becomes available.

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