Arts & Entertainment Community
Go on a lavender adventure this weekend in Olalla
When people in this area think of lavender farms — fields filled with row after row of fragrant purple blossoms — they likely think of Sequim and its popular lavender festival. That free event celebrates its 30th year this weekend and includes a dozen farms and more than 300 vendors.
Arts & Entertainment Sponsor
Arts & Entertainment stories are made possible in part by the Gig Harbor Film Festival, a proud sponsor of Gig Harbor Now.
Closer to home, the Olalla Lavender Festival also takes place July 18 and 19 at eight locations. It includes hands-on workshops, you-pick opportunities, shopping, sipping and food trucks. Workshops will provide instruction in candle-making, print-making, bee-keeping, wreath-making and more.
The festival is centered at the Olalla Grange, 7554 SE Fragaria Road. The grange will host live music, food trucks, vendors, kids activities and a “Lavender Trail” that winds through a wooded area with bits of poetry hidden along the path. The grange is also where attendees will pick up tour maps and wristbands that provide entry into seven additional sites.
Seven sites
Those sites include:
Ooh La Lah Lavender Farm on Banner Road. Festival-goers will find distilling demonstrations; spinning and dying exhibitions using fleece from the farm’s alpacas, sheep and llamas; and photo sessions.
Ooh La La Lavender Farm on Banner Road hosts visitors this weekend as part of the Olalla Lavender Festival.
Crescent Valley Lavender Farm has you-cut lavender and demonstrations of wreath-making, bee keeping and lavender distillation. A self-guided nature trail includes plant identification signage. Because parking is limited at this site, Crescent Valley Lavender Farm uses a reservation system. Reserve your entry time here.
Crescent Valley Lavender Farm is one of the sites hosting he Olalla Lavender Festival.
Olalla Winery and Vineyard on Olalla Valley Road features wine tasting, frozen wine drinks and tours of the vineyard and its lavender fields. Visitors can cut their own bouquets.
Astrid’s Lavender Farm on Thomas Road in Gig Harbor will have wreath-making classes, a boutique, discussions and demonstrations and self-guided meanders through the farm’s lavender field.
Astrid’s Lavender Farm on Thomas Road in Gig Harbor is one of the venues hosting the Olalla Lavender Festival.
Spin Cider on Millihanna Road in Olalla will have handcrafted ciders on tap, including lavender-inspired flavors, plus farm animals and an apple orchard.
Marionberry lavender cider will be available at Spin Cider on Millihanna Road in Olalla.
Red Roof Ranch in Port Orchard has you-pick lavender and cut flower bouquets, ice cream treats, lavender lemonade and lavender bath and body products.
Olalla Bay Market will have lavender-inspired specials and other food offerings.
Live music at the Grange
Musicians will entertain festival goers both days of the event. Saturday’s line-up includes Paul Bright, Lori Olson, Sweet Mary, The Everblues, KC and the Sound, The Gigsters, John Stephen and an outdoor ecstatic dance experience.
Sunday’s music lineup features the Kitsap County Ramblers, Scott Cossu, Dan Newton, Lawrence Lambert, Morgan Smith and Company and the Colette Jones Trio.
International connections
According to organizers, the Olalla event is connected to two similar festivals in Provence, France. Primary organizer Huguette Marsicano grew up in France, where lavender “was part of everyday life.” Her familiarity with celebrations in her native country were the inspiration for the local festival.
The Olalla Lavender Festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 18 and 19. Tickets cost $10, good for both days. Purchase tickets here.