Lavender to Bloom on Schedule for PA Festival

Despite the damp weather in May, the lavender at Willow Pond Farm is "good to go" for the June 13-15 Pennsylvania Lavender Festival. We expect it to begin blooming the first week of June and to be in full bloom for the festival which is expected to draw 4,000 participants. Experience the sheer joy of seeing more than three acres of lavender in bloom. The festival offers great photo opportunities of families enjoying Willow Pond Farm's gardens, live music and many vendors.

Visit www.palavenderfestival.com for more information, including a schedule, workshop and vendor descriptions. The web site also contains high resolution photos of previous festivals.

A Short Drive to Renewal and Relaxation

With high gas prices the farm offers a great "stay-cation"

Willow Pond Farm, at 145 Tract Road, Fairfield, Pa., is a certified organic farm located just outside of Gettysburg. The farm offers a delightful getaway for the day for families, couples, friends, and anyone with an interest in gardening, herbs, and specifically lavender. Speakers discuss growing lavender, cooking with herbs, aromatherapy and more. Vendors offer garden-related gifts, pottery, jewelry, carved and turned wood, baskets, photographic prints, dried flower wreathes, and festive table linens. Willow Pond Farm shop offers farm products, lavender goods and plants for sale.

Live music and picnic fare make the festival an enjoyable day outside. Participants can tour the gardens, sit in on lectures, take workshops or just stroll the lavender fields. The Kids Korner offers activities for younger attendees. Photographers are welcome to take pictures of the gardens.

Go Green and Purple at the PA Lavender Festival

A unique aspect of the PA Lavender Festival is just how accessible the experts are. In this informal setting, participants can sit in on lectures and ask questions of the speakers. During the PA Lavender Festival, Willow Pond Farm owner, master gardener and lavender grower Tom Wajda (pronounced Vi-da) is available to answer your questions about organic gardening and growing lavender and other herbs. Tom also leads the popular garden tours and lectures on growing lavender. The farm also offers a variety of demonstration and theme gardens.

Willow Pond Farm's co-owner, chef Madeline Wajda, discusses cooking with lavender. Food sold at the festival incorporates her recipes. She makes the homemade herbal jellies, vinegars and tea mixes sold by the farm.