(5/23) Five thousand people are expected to attend the fourth annual Pennsylvania Lavender Festival June 17-19, at Willow Pond Farm in Fairfield, PA. The only such festival in the mid-Atlantic region, the Pennsylvania Lavender Festival offers a wide range of experiences for participants, including tours of lavender fields and demonstration gardens, workshops by nationally known experts, herbal cuisine, and pick-your-own lavender from the farm's two acre field. Willow Pond Farm propagates nearly 100 different varieties of lavender, including three varieties--"Madeline Marie," "Rebecca Kay," and "Two Amys"-developed at the farm.

High resolution photos of last year's festival and of the farm's lavender in bloom are available at www.palavenderfestival.com. Significant blooming of this year's crop is expected to begin June 7-10 and will provide spectacular opportunities for photo essays. The festival itself offers outstanding photographic opportunities throughout the grounds and at workshops. For updates on the bloom or for other festival information, contact Tom Wajda at 717-642-6387.

Tours and festival activities occur outdoors rain or shine. Festival hours are Friday, June 17, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, June 18, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Sunday, June 19, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $2.00; children 12 and under are free. Willow Pond Farm is located 10 minutes west of Gettysburg, PA and 45 minutes north of Frederick, MD.

A schedule of events is attached. Additional information is available at www.palavenderfestival.com.

2005 Schedule and Activities

Friday, June 17

• 9:00 am Doors open
• 10:00 am- 3:00 pm Make your Own Lavender Wand ($5.00 fee)
• 10:00 am- 3:00 pm Children's Corner Open
• 10:00 am Growing Lavender, Lecture and Garden Tour Willow Pond Farm
• 11:00 am Edible Flowers  Nancy Heraud, Master Gardener
• Noon- 3:00 pm Traditional American music Tom Jolin on banjo, hammer dulcimer, and harmonica
• Noon Aromatherapy Susanna Reppert, Rosemary House
• 1:00 pm Lavender Field Tour Tom Wajda, Willow Pond Farm
• 1:30 pm Healing with Lavender Susanna Reppert, Rosemary House
• 2:30 pm Cooking with Lavender Madeline Wajda, Willow Pond Farm
• 3:30 pm Growing Lavender, Lecture and Garden Tour Tom Wajda, Willow Pond Farm

Saturday, June 18

• 9:00 am Doors open
• 9:45 am Gardening Organically, Lecture and Garden Tour  Tom Wajda, Willow Pond Farm
• 10:00 am- 3:00 pm Make your Own Lavender Wand ($5.00 fee)
• 10:00 am- 3:00 pm Children's Corner Open
• 10:45 am Medicinal Aspects of Lavender Arlene Bobonich, MD, Gettysburg Adult Medicine
• Noon - 3:00 pm Traditional American music Frank Cassel, the Banjo Man
• Noon Edible Flowers Nancy Heraud, Master Gardener
• 1:00 pm Lavender Field Tour Tom Wajda, Willow Pond Farm
• 1:30 pm Crafting with Lavender Linda Guise
•  
• 2:30 pm Cooking with Lavender Madeline Wajda, Willow Pond Farm
• 3:30 pm Growing Lavender, Lecture and Garden Tour Tom Wajda, Willow Pond Farm

Sunday, June 19

• 10:00 am Doors open
• 10:30 am- 3:00 pm Make Your Own Lavender Wand ($5.00 fee)
• 10:00 am- 3:00 pm Children's Corner Open
• 10:30 am Growing Lavender, Lecture and Garden Tour Tom Wajda, Willow Pond Farm
• 11:30 am Introduction to Aromatherapy Kathy Collins, RN
• Noon - 3:00 pm Bluegrass Music Straight Steel and Wire
• 1:00 pm Lavender Field Tour Tom Wajda, Willow Pond Farm
• 1:30 pm Crafting with Lavender Pat Sweetman, Herb Society of America
• 2:30 pm Cooking with Lavender Madeline Wajda, Willow Pond Farm
• 3:30 pm Growing Lavender, Lecture and Garden Tour Tom Wajda, Willow Pond Farm

LAVENDER FESTIVAL MAKE AND TAKE WORKSHOPS

Festival make and take workshops are designed to accommodate individuals who want a deeper understanding of the many uses of lavender and other herbs. All of the workshops will involve "hands on" participation and will result in one or more items to take home. Workshop participation is limited and early registration by calling 717-642-6387 is recommended. The workshop fee of $15.00 covers all materials and is payable by credit card or check at the time of registration. Anyone wishing to register at the Festival should check with the Information Desk near the barn to determine if openings are available. Workshops are not open to children under 12.

Friday, June 17

• 10:00 am Kitchen Cosmetics - Home crafted oils, lotions, and salves are an exciting aspect of the herb world. Learn how you can create your own lavender (and other herb) cosmetics. Susanna Reppert, Rosemary House
• 11:30 am Cooking with Herbs - Participants will work with Willow Pond Farm's Executive Chef to gain a solid understanding of which herbs to use when. The workshop will also cover herbal teas and seasonings. Madeline Wajda, Willow Pond Farm
• 1:00 pm Lavender Gifts -- Everybody loves lavender and gifts made from it. Make and take lavender culinary and craft gifts Madeline Wajda, Willow Pond Farm
• 2:30 pm Herbal Cordials - Herbal cordials are great for sipping after dinner or on the patio on a lazy summer evening. Susanna Reppert will lead participants in this delicious workshop dedicated to good tastes and the good life. Susanna Reppert, Rosemary House

Saturday, June 18

• 10:00 am Herbal Cordials - Herbal cordials are great for sipping after dinner or on the patio on a lazy summer evening. Susanna Reppert will lead participants in this delicious workshop  dedicated to good tastes and the good life. Susanna Reppert, Rosemary House
• 1130 am Kitchen Cosmetics - Home crafted oils, lotions, and salves are an exciting aspect of the herb world. Learn how you can create your own lavender (and other herb) cosmetics. Susanna Reppert, Rosemary House
• 1:00 pm Lavender Gifts -- Everybody loves lavender and gifts made from it. Make and take lavender culinary and craft gifts Madeline Wajda, Willow Pond Farm
• 2:30 pm Crafting with Lavender -- Linda Guise, one of the mid-Atlantic's most accomplished designers of dried herbs and flowers arrangements, will lead participants in making lavender crafts. Linda Guise

Sunday, June 19

• 10:30 am Cooking with Herbs - Participants will work with Willow Pond Farm's Executive Chef to gain a solid understanding of which herbs to use when. The workshop will also cover herbal teas and seasonings. Madeline Wajda, Willow Pond Farm
• Noon Pamper Yourself - This workshop, led by Kathy Collins, will focus on herbal bath and skin care products.Kathy Collins, RN
• 1:30 pm The Herbal Housekeeper - Herbs have long been used for everything from linen water to furniture polish. Learn how you can remove chemicals from and add herbs to your housekeeping. Pat Sweetman, Herb Society of America
• 3:00 pm Lavender Gifts -- Everybody loves lavender and gifts made from it. Make and take lavender culinary and craft gifts Madeline Wajda, Willow Pond Farm