This year, author Debbie Cook will be presenting "A Taste of Lavender" at 1:00 each day.  Debbie has been growing lavender on her farm in southern Ohio for over twenty years.  She is a noted fiber artist with works that have been seen in the White House and at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C.  She is also a notable culinary artist and recently completed a cookbook entitled "A Taste of Lavender-A Guide to Lavender Cooking."  This list of dishes she'll be presenting during her demondtration is impressive.  Debbie will be available for book signings throughout the festival.

     Other talks that will be given are "Growing Lavender Successfully," "Crafting with Lavender," and "Twenty Ways to Save Money with Herbs."  There will also be guided tours of selected gardens, and self-guided tours of the twenty display gardens each day.  For a $5 fee, attendees may also attend a traditional Lavender Wand making class.  Lavender wands have been used for centuries as a decorative way to carry the scent of lavender.  They were commonly hung near windows where the breeze could carry the aroma throughout the room and to repel insects.  They were placed between linens to impart their sleep-inducing scent.  Often they were hung on chairs, lamps, door knobs or bedsteads. 

     Visitors may also make a lavender filled pin at the Make It/Take It station, and attend a Lavender Tea that features lavender tea from Harrod's in England or lavender punch and lavender shortbread cookies.  "It's our gift to the people that love lavender as much as we do," states farm owner Carolee Snyder.

     Vendors offering garden related crafts and products will spill across the lawn.  There are still vendor spaces available by contacting the farm.  Artists are invited to come paint "purple heaven" or other scenes in the gardens.

     The Big Barn Gift Shop will be filled with the aroma of lavender hanging from the beams, and a wonderful array of lavender products, including new lavender T-shirts, mugs, carry bags, jelly and more!  The Herbal Country Cottage will also have new items.  A large selection of lavender varieties will be available for sale.  Some are in limited quantities, and some will be offered for the first time at the farm.  All of the remaining annuals, including basils and annual flowers will be 50% off.   

     There is no admission fee for this event, and parking is free.  There is no additional fee for attending lectures or tours.  Join us for this very special event, and bring a friend!  (Sorry, no pets allowed.)

Lavender Daze 2009 Schedule
Throughout the day: Saturday 10 am - 4 pm, Sunday 10 am - 4 pm

* Make a lavender filled flower pin
* Visit the fragrant, colorful Lavender Field
* U-Pick Lavender ($5 Fee)
* See the display of Lavender varieties
* Self-guided garden tours of twenty lovely flower-filled gardens
* Visit the vendors, Barn Gift Shop & Herbal Country Cottage
* Visit the newly-decorated Cottage

10:00  Gates open

10:30  "Twenty Ways to Save Money with Herbs"

11:00  Lavender Wand Making Class ($5 fee)

11:30  "Growing Lavender Successfully

12:00  Lavender Tea (1st seating)-get a ticket at the counter in the Barn, then watch for color posting

12:30  Lavender Tea (2nd seating) please attend only once

1:00  "A Taste of Lavender"-Debbie Cook

2:00  Guided Garden Tour-farm owner Carolee Snyder

2:00  Lavender Tea (3rd seating)

2:00  Lavender Wand Making Class (repeat, $5 fee)

2:30  "Growing Lavender Successfully"

3:00  Lavender Tea (4th seating)

3:30  "Crafting with Lavender"

4:00  Gates close.  Thanks for coming!