Pennsylvania Lavender Festival

For nearly 10 years, Tom and Madeline Wajda have opened their historic farm near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on Father's Day Weekend and invited thousands to explore their senses.

Their specialty – lavender. As the Baltimore Sun put it, a "field of purple ... lots of it." 

The festival features 75 varieties of lavender, three of which are exclusive to the Wajda's Willow Pond Farm, in Fairfield, Pa. The farm is certified organic and includes three acres of lavender.

This year, you can join the nearly 4,000 people for great food, music, pick-your-own lavender, garden tours and culinary presentations, from June 17 to 19. Lavender and other herbs are sold throughout the festival. Also included this year is a cooking contest featuring, what else but lavender. 

This year’s featured speakers are Susan Belsinger and Don Haynie, authors and nationally- known lecturers on herb-related topics.

The Pennsylvania Lavender Festival is truly one of a kind in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Tom Wajda calls the festival, "a sensory delight."

Admission is $5.00; children 12 and under attend for free. Shuttle service and parking are free. Festival hours are Friday and Saturday (June 17 and 18) 9am to 5pm; and Sunday, June 19, 10am to 5 pm. Tours and festival activities occur outdoors. Dress casually to ensure your comfort. No pets, please.

Willow Pond Farm is located at 145 Tract Rd., Fairfield, Pa., 10 minutes west of Gettysburg, Pa., and 45 minutes north of Frederick, MD. Willow Pond Farm is about 90 minutes from Washington, D.C.

For more information about top events in Pennsylvania take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Pennsylvania. 

For more information on the Pennsylvania Lavender Festival, visit www.palavenderfestival.com

JuneBug Jamboree

A swarm of VW Beetles, buses and buggies will descend on the Ozarks as GROOVE (General Registry of Ozarks Volkswagen Enthusiasts) is sponsoring its 17th Annual JuneBug Jamboree June 10 and 11 in Springfield, Missouri.

Over the years, the GROOVE June Bug Jamboree has become a staple of VW owners and enthusiasts. The Jamboree will be on the grounds of American Legion Post 639, 2660 S. Scenic Ave, in Springfield, Mo. Registration starts at 5 p.m. June 10.

The theme of the event is “Preserve Precious Metals” and includes a Volkswagen car show, entertainment, vendors, stereo sound-off contest, engine sound-off contest, slow drags, car corral and a 50/50 pot. Entertainment and camping for participants is available on site June 10.

Entries to the car show are divided into more than 30 classes with first, second and third places for each class and other special awards such as “People's Choice,” “Best of” and “GROOVE-iest” awards for the car show.

All car show entries must be Volkswagen powered or bodied.

Admission to the event is free and open to the public. Contests, camping, car corral, and car show require nominal registration fees.
GROOVE is dedicated to the preservation and restoration of Volkswagen automobiles and culture in the Ozarks.

For more information about top events in Missouri, take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Missouri at www.topeventsusa.com/state-events-missouri.html

For more information on the June Bug Jamboree visit www.groovevws.com/jbj.html