Read Lavender Festival schedule, details

The Lavender Festival has expanded. Here is a schedule of musicians and presentations, and information about additional events.

The free festival, the 23rd Jackson Square Lavender Festival, is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 17, in Jackson Square. Since 1999, the Lavender Festival has been held the third week of June, which is when the lavender is in bloom in Tennessee. In addition to several local lavender farms, the festival features 150 artisan and food vendors, live music, informative presentations, and free children’s activities.

For information about vendors, parking, road closures, children’s activities, and more, visit  www.JacksonSquareLavenderFestival.org. The festival is “rain or shine,” a press release said.

Here is what is new this year:

• A free shuttle will be offered from the Roane State Community College parking lot at 701 Briarcliff Avenue, dropping off at the east entrance to Jackson Square.
• Additional handicapped parking spaces will be available in the Jacob’s parking lot on Towne Road, plus the Broadway parking lot, the press release said.
• Festival expansion: The festival has expanded and will include Broadway Avenue in front of the United Way Building with free children’s activities, artisan vendors, and food, and inside the building and the Nine Lakes Wine Tasting.

Live music under the big tent in Jackson Square will include: 

• 8 a.m.—Andrew Pazant, bagpiper, will open the festival by marching down the steps from the Blankenship football parking lot into Jackson Square.
• 8:30 a.m.—Alan McBride on hammered dulcimer
• 9:30 a.m.—The Missing Goats (Irish and Americana)
• 11 a.m.—Early Bird Special (folk and oldies)
• 12:30 p.m.—Wild Blue Yonder (bluegrass)
• 2 p.m.—The AM Station Band (classic rock of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s)

Additional music will be provided by buskers at the entrance to the festival on East Tennessee Avenue, and at the United Way building at 301 Broadway Avenue, the press release said.

Free informative presentations will be offered to the public in the lobby of Pinnacle Financial Partners at 231 Jackson Square.

• 9:30 a.m.—”Growing Lavender” in East Tennessee, by Rose Echols, owner of LoCo Lavender Farm in Loudon County.
• 11 a.m.—”Seasoning Salts and Simple Syrups—How we make local products from our North Carolina farm,” by Carolyn Henry of Tryon Mountain Farms.​​​​​​​
• 1 p.m.—”Ginger, the Root to Good Health,” by Marie Bullock of Heaven’s Scent. Ginger is the “Herb of the Year” as designated by the International Herb Association.​​​​​​​
• 2:30 p.m.—”Cooking with Herbs Demonstration,” by Chef Alex Gass of Fire & Salt restaurant in Oak Ridge.

While the Main Event of Jackson Square Lavender Festival is free, there are several ticketed events that benefit local charities.

• Nine Lakes Wine Tasting, Benefiting United Way of Anderson County, the wine tasting features the wines and ciders of four Tennessee wineries. Ticket includes a tasting glass, wine tote, and samples of about 25 local wines. Must be 21 with valid identification.
• Tour of Gardens—Benefitting Nourish Kids Club, the Tour of Gardens features four beautiful private gardens in and near Oak Ridge, open selected hours June 16-18, the press release said. Master Gardeners of Anderson County will be available to answer questions in each garden.
• Herb Lunch—A treasured tradition in Jackson Square with limited seating and a gourmet, plated lunch. These are currently sold out. 

Broadway Avenue will be closed from Michigan Avenue to Kentucky, and from Kentucky Avenue to Towne Road, the press release said. Residents will be able to drive up and down Michigan Avenue and Kentucky Avenue.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

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