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