Thurmont, Maryland, is at it again -- hosting the best-smelling festival of the year this June. Stop and smell the lavender!
Close your eyes and imagine getting the BEST spa treatment ever. A relaxing back rub, a scalp massage, a warm silk eye pillow – all while you lie on a heated bed in a dim room surrounded by the distant sound of a babbling brook. I hope you have had a chance to experience such a moment of Zen in your life. If you’re one of the lucky ones, you’ll know that a common thread in relaxation and spa treatments, at home or in a swanky salon, is LAVENDER. The herb that is associated with the color of the same name, a calming dusty purple, immediately gives you the desire to hit the pause button on life and just chill.
Disclaimer: while we cannot promise that same feeling of floating on Cloud Nine, the Maryland Lavender Festival can at least get you out to Thurmont, MD, in Frederick County to breathe the fresh air and learn everything there is to know about the “herb of chill.”
The event runs over the course of two days, June 16 and 17, and is hosted by the glorious Springfield Manor Winery, Distillery, and Brewery. Each day, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., you have the freedom to explore the grounds and partake in the head-spinning variety of things to do, food to eat, and drinks to cheer with. The event will have gorgeous views, of course. Please try not to break Instagram! There will be vendors to satisfy the shoppers, food trucks for the hungry bunch, live music to keep that pep in your step, and plenty of beer, wine, and even lavender gin tastings to keep the good times rolling.
The fields have 2,600 lavender plants of both English and French varieties. Fun fact: English lavender is used for cooking and making the aforementioned lavender gin, while it is the French plant which is used for aromatherapy and bath products. We learn something new here every day … who knew!
The event is expected to sell out, and tickets are required to be purchased in advance here (for Saturday, June 16) and here (for Sunday, June 17). You can choose from the following ticket options: $20 to enter the festival, or $25, which will grant you entry PLUS a glass of wine or beer. This is primarily an adult event, but if you do plan on bringing a little one, kids over the age of two require a ticket as well. And just as a reminder, a ticket is only good for one day, not both days of the festival.
If you’re traveling from afar to enjoy the festival, the Manor does have eight suites for weary visitors to put their feet up from traversing the fragrant fields. With names like “Lady Victoria” and “Peregrine,” these rooms are quite charming! Unfortunately, all suites for Saturday night (June 16) seem to have already been booked online. Yet, there are suites available for Sunday night for anyone feeling extra adventurous and not in a hurry to get back to the office on Monday.
Have you ever been to the festival? Feel free to share tips, advice, and recommendations for first-time visitors in the comments section below! In the meantime, we really wish your screen was scratch-and-sniff … these flowers smell divine!
