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Olalla hosts lavender festival for the first time

Walk through fields of fragrant lavender, savor the taste of homegrown wines, and enjoy live music as local artists showcase their intricately designed crafts at the Olalla Lavender Festival, happening July 20-21.

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The festival is going head to head with the well-known Sequim Lavender Festival on the same weekend. But it appears the region has plenty of lavender fans to go around. The Olalla Lavender Festival is sold out, according to its website. Organizers sold more than 1,000 tickets.

A celebration of lavender

Several venues are participating in the first-ever local celebration of lavender. The perennial has a rich history and is believed to be one of the first herbs brought by American colonists. Its summer blooms fill the air with a soothing aroma and purple blossoms.

Huguette Marsicano, managing the festival, said that the idea came from the Olalla Winery wanting to hold more events during the summer season. “I’m from the south of France, and lavender is such a big deal over there and it’s so beautiful.”

Marsicano said locals first discussed the idea two years ago. It didn’t come together until she collaborated with the winery and connected the event with Olalla’s country roots.

A family gathers lavender at Crescent Valley Lavender Farm. Crescent Valley allows customers to harvest lavender from over 2,000 plants and seven species. Photo by Ronan Lynch

The Olalla Winery and the Olalla Community Club will be the main locations for vendors and music. Activities during the festival include farm visits, tastings at the winery and Spin Cider, kids’ lavender crafts and more.

Meet a lavender farmer

Crescent Valley Lavender Farm will provide an interactive experience for the community to wander outside in the sun, cut lavender plants, and enjoy the many products produced from the fragrant herb.

“I thought being a part of the whole festival would help promote everybody’s business,” Crescent Valley owner Glenn Liebner said.

The farm sells numerous products, ranging from lavender-scented bath bombs to lavender shortbread cookies to showcase the many ways lavender can be used.

Field of lavender planted at Crescent Valley Lavender Farm in Gig Harbor, on July 3. Photo by Ronan Lynch

“I’m really excited that it’s going to be a collaboration between the Olalla Winery and a few of the other farms,” said Eliza Liebner, the owner’s daughter. “We have not done a collaborative festival like this before, so it’s just really exciting to be able to come together as a farm community and host for people.”

Other participating venues include Red Roof Ranch on Mountain View Road East in Port Orchard; Astrid’s Lavender Farm on Thomas Road in Gig Harbor; and Spin Cider Farm on Millihanna Road in Olalla.

Eliza Liebner makes a lavender wreath at Crescent Valley Lavender Farm. Photo by Ronan Lynch