Oak Ridge's Lavender Festival returns
Tennessee’s only Lavender Festival is back for its 22nd year in Oak Ridge. This is the first time the festival has been held since 2019 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The main event is free on Saturday, June 18, with live music from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. under a large tent in Historic Jackson Square. Additional ticketed events are offered Friday through Sunday, June 17-19, and are on sale now at www.JacksonSquareLavenderFestival.org.
Lavender Festival is always held the third week of June because that's when the lavender blooms, according to a news release. Jackson Square will become a pedestrian-friendly plaza for the day, with several fresh lavender vendors and 130 artisans with unique and handmade items in and around the Square. Additional events include informative presentations, a wine tasting, free children's activities and more.
Information Tent
Look for the Explore Oak Ridge tent, located just south of the fountain in the middle of the Square. A map and more information are available at www.JacksonSquareLavenderFestival.org.
Free parking/Broadway Avenue closure
Abundant, free parking is available in the city lots and some private lots surrounding Jackson Square. For a map, visit the website above.
Handicapped parking is offered for tagged vehicles in the Blankenship Parking lot and the Broadway Avenue lot across from 201 Cafe & Wine Bar. The Oak Ridge High School Junior ROTC will be on hand to assist.
Broadway Avenue from Kentucky to Towne Road will be closed.
Food, water, first aid
Dean's Restaurant, Razzleberry's, and 201 Cafe & Wine Bar will all be open inside the Square.
A new Food Truck Park is located in the Broadway parking lot.
Free water bottle refill stations are located on the north side of the Big Tent, and under the covered south walkway. Small paper cups provided.
First aid is located on the east side of the Big Tent.
Free for children events
The Art Spot by Bob Grimac will be in front of the Oak Ridge Playhouse.
Human-Powered Merry-Go-Round will be east of the large tent.
Bee Scavenger Hunt, at the Information Tent will be south of the fountain.
Nourish Kids Club, by Grow Oak Ridge, will be located under the covered walkway in the southeast corner of the Square. Kids age two to 12 will receive a free vegetable sample, fun activity and $5 in Produce Bucks to spend with local farmers.
Presentations in the lobby of Pinnacle Financial Partners Bank
"How to grow lavender in East Tennessee," by Rose Echols, owner of LoCo Lavender Farm in Loudon County will be free at 9:30 a.m.
A cooking demonstration with nationally known cookbook author, Nancy Baggett, will be at 11 a.m. This event is sold out; however, you can visit Baggett in her booth on Saturday from 8 to 10:30 a.m. and noon until 2 p.m. She is in booth 122 under the covered walk way at the south end of the Square. She will have recipes and suggestions.
"Not just a pretty face," featuring this year's Herb of the Year as designated by the International Herb Association, viola. Marie Bullock of Heaven's Scent will help you view violas and the common yard violet in a different light at 1 p.m. "She will educate, demonstrate, and inspire you to share the joys and gifts of nature. Handouts and favor included," the release stated. The event is free.
"Dispelling myths about wild birds and how to attract them to your yard," will be presented by Lucas Coe-Starr, also known as The Oak Ridge Birdman at 2 p.m. The event is free.
Farmers markets
The Oak Ridge Farmers' Market and Market-To-Go will be open, but relocated for Saturday to the Blankenship Field parking lot.
Ticketed events
Nine Lakes Wine Tasting will be 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. inside 201 Cafe & Wine Bar. Five Tennessee wineries will be on hand to give out samples of their wines and ciders. Tickets are $20 and include a tasting glass and a wine tote. Space is limited, and advanced tickets are recommended, on the website above. Any additional space will be sold at the door.
Lavender Festival Tour of Gardens features 12 beautiful Oak Ridge gardens, open each afternoon June 17 through 19. Tickets are on sale now online, and will be available at the Information Tent during the festival. The tour benefits Nourish Kids Club.
130 artisan vendors
"The highlight of Lavender Festival is the group of 130 artisan, herb and floral vendors lining the covered walkways of Jackson Square, the parking lot, and both sides of Broadway Avenue, which will be closed to traffic," a news release stated.
The event includes "longtime favorite booths like Erin's Meadow Herb Farm, Smoky Mountain Lavender, Rainwater Farm, Wingshuck, Harmonic Journeys and Stoney Clay Station" the news release stated.
Fifty new vendors including several food trucks, Earthen Treasurers Pottery, Lucy Lee Galleries, Marble Springs Studio, Art at Hummingbird Hill, Ogden Bathhouse, and more will also join the event.
Music schedule Saturday
The music schedule is as follows:
8 a.m. — Andrew Pazant, bagpiper
8:30 a.m. — Allen McBride, hammered dulcimer
9 a.m. — Snow Days, sister duo sings hits from the 1960s to the 90s
10 a.m. — Liz and Tim, Americana, folk, and traditional Appalachian
11 a.m. — Early Bird Special, country, folk, and oldies
12:30 p.m. —The Lonetones, genre-bending, modern-folk band
2 p.m. — AM Station Band, classic rock.
Lavender Festival is presented by ORNL Federal Credit Union, with support from many other sponsors.Visit them all at www.JacksonSquareLavenderFestival.org.
This article originally appeared on Oakridger: Oak Ridge's Lavender Festival returns June 17-19
