Barrington Hall's 2013 Lavender Festival Set to Bloom on June 8, 2013

Jan. 13, 2013 - PRLog -- The Roswell Lavender Festival, a well-attended free event, will feature a full day devoted to all things lavender in a festival environment on the seven landscaped acres of Barrington Hall. The property’s carriage house doubles as a demonstration classroom with lectures, craft activities and exhibits taking place on the hour. The 2013 schedule is still under wraps but previous and popular topics included lavender wand making, creating lavender bath salts, and presentations on cultivating one’s own lavender plantings. Throughout the day, lavender infused specialty foods can be sampled on the hour. Previous tastings have included such sweet and savory items such as lavender ice cream, lavender cookies, lavender vinaigrette and lavender tabbouleh.  

As festival-goers arrive, they’re greeted by helpful Lavender Queens and provided with a map of the property which highlights the many different areas of the festival: the vendor section featuring local artisans and antiques, a pottery exhibit with a local artist presenting wheel demonstrations, plant and herb sales along with other specialty garden items, and a food and picnic area where local food trucks proffer a variety of specialty foods. The front yard of the historic home is designated for children’s activities with crafts, historic games, and a special visit from the Lavender Fairy. Also popular is “The Zen Zone,” an area solely devoted to the healing properties of lavender and featuring such techniques as crystal bowl therapy, raiki healing and aromatherapy. Massage, yoga, and Pilates will also be highlighted.

While under the relaxing spell of lavender, musicians from local venue Ragamuffin Music Hall contribute to the festival-like atmosphere with a sampling of Americana, bluegrass, and folk music.

The Roswell Lavender Festival began two years ago and was inspired by the legacy of Evelyn Simpson, great-granddaughter of Barrington King who co-founded the town of Roswell and built Barrington Hall in 1942. Evelyn lived in the home until her death in 1965. She singlehandedly expanded the lavish gardens on the property to include a section of lavender plantings which she would then use to make sachets and lavender wands, selling them to tourists and passers-by in an effort to make ends meet and help with the upkeep of the property.

Vendor opportunities are still available. For further information, please contact festival organizer Janet Rigsby at Barrington Hall, jrigsby@roswellgov.com or 770.640.3855. More information is available on our website at www.roswellgov.com