New offerings, music and speakers for Lavender Festival in Oak Ridge Saturday
This year's 23rd Jackson Square Lavender Festival on Saturday will have new offerings, musicians and speakers.
The festival is free and will be held 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in Oak Ridge's Jackson Square and celebrates health, creativity, local food and of course, lavender.
About eight lavender farmers will be on hand selling fresh and dried lavender. They'll be joined by 150 artisan vendors with unique and handmade items Visit the website at www.JacksonSquareLavenderFestival.org for all information about the event. The festival will be held rain or shine, according to a news release.
New at this year's festival
A free shuttle will be offered from the Roane State Community College parking lot, 701 Briarcliff Ave. People riding the shuttle will be dropped off at the east entrance to Jackson Square. Kids riding the bus receive a $1 off coupon for food or drink with any vendor.
Additional handicapped parking spaces will be available in the Jacobs parking lot on Towne Road, plus the Broadway parking lot.
The festival has expanded and will include Broadway Avenue in front of the United Way Building, with additional free children’s activities, artisan vendors, and food. Inside the building is a Tennessee wine tasting, benefiting United Way.
Live music
Live music will be provided under the big tent in Jackson Square. The performers 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 music.
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 '50s, '60s, and '70s.
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.
Informative presentations
Free informative presentationswill be offered to the public in the lobby of Pinnacle Financial Partners, 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 & Simple Syrups - How we make local products on 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, Oak Ridge.
While the Main Event of Jackson Square Lavender Festival is free, there are several ticketed events that benefit local charities. These tickets will be higher at the festival, and visitors are encouraged to buy them ahead of time:
Nine Lakes Wine Tasting, benefiting United Way of Anderson County. The wine tasting features the wines and ciders of four Tennessee wineries. A ticket includes a tasting glass, wine tote and samples of about 25 local wines. Must be 21 with valid ID.
Tour of Gardens, benefiting Nourish Kids Club, the Tour of Gardens features four beautiful private gardens in and near Oak Ridge, open selected hours Friday through Sunday. Master gardeners of Anderson County will be available to answer questions in each garden.
Broadway Avenue will be closed from Michigan Avenue to Kentucky, and from Kentucky Avenue to Towne Road. Residents will be able to drive up and down Michigan Avenue and Kentucky Avenue, the release stated.
Lavender Festival 2023 is presented by the City of Oak Ridge with additional support from many other businesses and organizations.
This article originally appeared on Oakridger: New elements, music, speakers for Oak Ridge Lavender Festival Saturday
