The 17th Annual Michigan Lavender Fest will be held at the Eastern Michigan Fairgrounds in Imlay City, MI on Thursday, Friday & Saturday, July 11-13, 2019. CLICK HERE for directions.
ONGOING ATTRACTIONS
Live Music: Relax and enjoy the soothing sounds of harp and other acoustics as local musicians perform throughout the day.
We’re THRILLED to announce our special Keynote Speakers for our 17th Annual Michigan Lavender Festival: Dr. Eric Zielinski & Sabrina Zielinski! This power couple will be offering a series of wellness classes and activities in the Natural Living Family tent.
About our Keynote Speakers:
ERIC ZIELINSKI, DC, is the author of the national bestseller The Healing Power of Essential Oils. Trained as an aromatherapist, a public health researcher, and a chiropractor, Dr. Z started naturallivingfamily.com in 2014 with his wife, Sabrina Ann. Now visited by more than six million readers every year, naturallivingfamily.com is the number one online source for biblical health and nonbranded essential oils education.
SABRINA ANN ZIELINSKI is a certified group fitness and martial arts instructor, health coach, lactation consultant, and the mastermind behind the recipes and do-it-yourself remedies featured in this book and on naturallivingfamily.com. She is known as Mama Z to many fellow moms who are looking for natural ways to care for their families.
Take an inside look at one of the fastest growing movements, literally driven by women, that’s happening today. A cross between camping, boutique-stays and adventure, Glamour-camping is quickly becoming something that both men and women seek to experience.
This year’s Glamping Village is presented by Sisters on the Fly®, the largest women’s organization in the United States with a focus on outdoor recreation. This fun group of adventurers will have their campers set up and you’ll have an opportunity to walk through and take a peek inside.
The Clawson Makers Market invites you to join some of their talented, local Makers and Artisans to "Make" one or more of these fabulous projects, created specially for the ORIGINAL MICHIGAN LAVENDER FESTIVAL! (These workshops will take place at the Clawson Makers Market booth.)
Pre-register for these workshops online at: http://tiny.cc/b1mt6y
Drops-in is also available at the festival as space and supplies allow.
* If you pre-register for any of these workshops and cannot make the event, the Clawson Makers Market at 808 W. 14 Mile Rd., Clawson, MI will welcome you anytime during business hours to complete your project. Call 248-850-8330 for more information or to schedule your visit.
Creative Faith DIY Workshops
Creative Faith invites you to relax and get inspired with one of their hands-on projects taught by local artist, Lisa Evola. You’ll love her inspiring personality and will leave with a finished project you can be proud of. (These workshops will take place at the Creative Faith booth.)
Lavender Aroma Painting Workshop
Choose your creative project!
In this class you will be working with acrylic paints infused with lavender essential oil, as you create a unique painted wood sign (Choose OneDesign) to commemorate your Michigan Lavender Festival experience. You will be gently guided through the process of creating your unique piece of art, with the aromas of calming lavender surrounding your senses, and the practiced hand of your experienced instructor. The project measures approximately 16x22 (truck) and 20x22 (camper). Each one comes with hanging hardware on back to be used in any way you like including a door hanger! Prior painting experience is not necessary for this step-by-step workshop.
$35 class fee. Includes all materials needed to complete the project.
Limited seating available. Register in advance by visiting: www.creativefaith.me/lavenderfestivalworkshops
Slate Tile Chalkboard Art
Chalkboard art is quickly becoming a popular addition to homes all across the country. This beautiful design will be created with both chalk and acrylic paints on a Vintage Slate Roof Tile from Michigan historical homes. This step-by-step workshop is for all creative levels including the beginner, and stencils will be used for the lettering. Remember that each slate has its own character, and allow for size variations. (Approximately 16x20)
$35 class fee. Includes all materials needed to complete the project.
Limited seating available. Register in advance by visiting: www.creativefaith.me/lavenderfestivalworkshops
Farmhouse Pallet Painting
In this step-by-step acrylic painting workshop you will be gently guided through the process of creating your own Farmhouse flowers with a word or phrase of your choice. The project is approximately 10x20 and includes hanging hardware. Beginners Welcome! (canvas or wood options will be offered)
$35 class fee. Includes all materials needed to complete the project.
Limited seating available. Register in advance by visiting: www.creativefaith.me/lavenderfestivalworkshops
The following classes are free for festival attendees, and will take place under the main Speakers Tent, located on the East Side of the festival grounds (see map)
THURSDAY, JULY 11, 2019
4:00-8:00pm: The Lavender Lounge
To pay tribute to the festival experience we’ve brought for the past 17 years, the Speakers Tent will be filled with a “Symphony for the Senses” Thursday night. Relax to the sounds of live harp music as you experience the aroma of lavender diffusing through the air and feel your stress melting away. You’ll learn about the benefits of lavender from fellow lavender aficionados and will leave feeling rested and rejuvenated. Stop in at your leisure; stay as long as you’d like.
FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2019
10:30am: Meet the Lavender Farmer!
Trish Dennis, Owner/Proprietor, Indigo Lavender Farms
Join Trish as she discusses her background and the making of one of Michigan’s largest farms. She will expound on the history and uses of lavender, along with the care and maintenance of this beautiful perennial including: pruning, harvesting, and processing. Trish will also share how they are distilling their fresh harvested lavender into essential oil right on the farm.
Includes Q & A and sampling of the farm's own lavender honey!
12:00pm: Juicing & Blending
David Green, Health Coach
What is the difference between juicing and blending? Is one better than the other? Learn about the different juicers and blenders available on the market, and which one may suit your lifestyle. How can you add these two powerful health tools to your daily lifestyle and reap the incredible health benefits they can bring to your body and mind.
1:00pm: Perfect Perennials for Pollinators
Liz Timmerman, Harding Honey.
Learn what you can do to help save the bees, and how to plant the perfect pollinators garden - including lavender- to attract these buzzing beauties.
2:00pm: Cooking With Lavender
Join us as we explore lavender's lovely influence on food, and discover how its delicate sweetness can impart a fresh, fragrant taste to your favorite recipes.
3:00pm: Digital Detox
Angelika Kopek, Board Certified Health Coach
Come learn why it is important to unplug from the digital world, what it is doing to our health and our children’s health, and what we can do to protect our loved ones!. We will also go over different types of EMF’s (Electro Magnetic Fields) and which electronics emit them. This is a talk you can’t afford to miss!
4:00pm: Lavender and Peppermint: The Power Duo
James Crosby, Proprietor of Crosby Mint Farm
Join "Peppermint Jim" as he takes you through a journey sharing the historical uses of to members of the Mint family, lavender and peppermint. You'll learn a plethora of uses for fresh, dried and distilled mint, as well as the process of distillation from A to Z.
SATURDAY, JULY 13, 2019
10:30am: Meet the Lavender Farmer!
Trish Dennis, Owner/Proprietor, Indigo Lavender Farms
Join Trish as she discusses her background and the making of one of Michigan’s largest farms. She will expound on the history and uses of lavender, along with the care and maintenance of this beautiful perennial including: pruning, harvesting, and processing. Trish will also share how they are distilling their fresh harvested lavender into essential oil right on the farm.
Includes Q & A and sampling of the farm's own lavender honey!
12:00 noon: The Art of Homeopathy
Veronica Wolf Hester, Classical Homeopath, Holistic Health Practitioner, Creator|Owner of Mother Tongue Medicine
Veronica has trained in multiple healing modalities such as art therapy, psychology, massage therapy, dance, yoga, Pilates, and is completely immersed in the lifelong study and practice of homeopathy. She will discuss how homeopathy can provide an individualistic way for people to become the best versions of themselves on a physical, mental, and emotional level.
1:00pm: Pardon The Weeds, I’m Saving The Bees
Elizabeth Timmerman, Harding Honey
This discussion will touch base on how we can help the bee's pollinate, includes a honey tasting and a demonstration - making seed bombs - geared towards bee friendly plants.
2:00pm: A Story of Sisterhood: How Camping With Strangers Changed My Life
Julie Harris, Sisters on the Fly
Julie will share the inspirational story on how she got involved with Sisters on the Fly® (the largest women’s organization in the United States) and how the friendships she made transformed her retirement years for the better.
3:00pm A Journey To Freedom: Mental & Physical Healing From Crohn’s Disease
Ivonne Bigger, Wellness Advocate, Wife and Mother
Life can throw many twists and turns your way. While at times it can seem impossible to navigate past the challenges, there is always hope. 24 surgeries and several near-death experiences later, this mom of three daughters experienced those challenges first hand. Join Ivonne Bigger as she shares her inspiring -and at times horrific- journey to conquer Crohn’s Disease and live life to the fullest.
4:00: For The Love Of Lavender
Jennifer Vasich, Michigan Lavender Festival Founder, Entrepreneur and Business Coach
It's been said that if we "do what we love, we will never have to work a day in our life." While that's true, before we quit our day job there are some important elements and skills that we need to learn along the way to ensure success.
As Jennifer shares her unconventional - and hilarious - journey of success, she will give you the keys to cultivating your own career that empowers you to do what you love, what you’re good at and what people will pay you for. Includes a sampling of lavender for you to enjoy while she shares her favorite ways to use this remarkable essential oil.
The following activities are free for children of all ages and will take place in the Animal Barn all 3 days of the event:
- The Mad Lavender Scientist Meet our bumbling lavender scientist who attempts to stir up some goofy lavender concoctions, while trying to save the world from lack of lavender knowledge.
Performances: Thursday 5:00 pm & 7:00 pm Friday& Saturday: 1:30 - "Early Birds" Birdfeeder: Come and watch as we show you a super fun way to turn cereal into a one-stop feed station that encourages different species to visit your backyard!
Fun Project Demos: Friday & Saturday: 10:30 am - Meet The Farm Animals: Stop by for an adventure in Animal Education and meet the animals that make farm life fun. The FFA (Future Farmers of America) will introduce you to their beloved farm friends and share some awesome facts about these adorable animals! Free petting zoo all day, every day!
Fun Educational Classes: Friday & Saturday: 11:30 am & 4:30 pm -
Fun Storytime: Meet Local Authors as they read their books to the group and sign personalized copies for everyone!
- Local author, Erika Weberman, will read from her hilarious children's series, The Cheezers, which focuses on teaching life lessons while maintaining a sense of humor for adults as well!
Fun Storytime & Book Signing with Erika: Friday & Saturday: 12:30 pm - 2. Young author, Darien Belcher, just ten years old, will read his book, The Story of the Curse, which tells the story of Lego boy and his Superhero friends who work together to beat the bad guys. Will the Superheroes remove the curse, or will they be defeated?
Fun Storytime & Book Signing with Darien: Friday & Saturday: 2:30 pm
- Local author, Erika Weberman, will read from her hilarious children's series, The Cheezers, which focuses on teaching life lessons while maintaining a sense of humor for adults as well!
- Lavender Play Dough: Learn how to make fragrant and relaxing play dough with just a few simple ingredients you probably already have at home! *Includes a little sample & recipe card for kids 12 & under.
Fun Project Demos: Friday & Saturday: 3:30 pm
A woman owned and operated farm established in 2015. Trish was an USAF Captain and a corporate attorney before turning to farming. The brainchild of her husband, Greg Dennis, and funded by an investor, Midwest Commercial Construction, the farm currently has 14,000 lavender plants spread over 20 beautiful acres on gently rolling hillside in Imlay City, MI.
During the lavender festival, Indigo Farms will offer self-guided lavender farm tours, u-pick ($), lavender wand and wreath making workshops ($), lavender essential oil distillation demos, and music. The shuttle pick-up area is located on the south side of the festival grounds, across from the Glamping Village.
For more information about Indigo Farms it to plan a visit before the festival, visit www.indigolavender.com
The Michigan Lavender Festival features over 150 vendors showcasing handmade goods.
Drop-in workshops all day: Learn about the wonderful world of essential oils! Each day, we will have DIY Workshop Stations set up where students can learn about and take home an aromatherapy product that that create for themselves. Prices vary between $5-$15, depending on what you choose to make. All workshops are available on a drop-in basis, so stop by at your convenience. Location: Wellness Barn, adjacent to the festival entrance. (also known as the 4-H Barn)
Aromatherapy DIY Workshop Stations will include:
- Aromatherapy + Pain Management (aches + pains, soothing muscles)
- Emotional Wellness (stress relief, energy, uplifting)
- Essential Oil Blends for Babies & Mamas (presented by the Essential Oil Doula)
- Wellness & Nutrition (immune boosting, first-aid and every day wellness)
- For the Love of lavender (blends for relaxation, first-aid and beautiful skin)
- Cooking With Essential Oils (learn how to add fabulous flavor to your favorite dishes with oil infused salt blends)
- Essential Oils for Pets (Safe, effective remedies for your furry friends)
Awaken your senses and inner calm at our free Aroma Yoga on July 12 and 13. Diana Racek, yoga instructor from Ann Arbor, MI, will guide you through vinyasa yoga and restorative yin yoga sessions. Diana will offer three classes on both Friday and Saturday—providing several opportunities for you to reset. Come nourish your mind and body through movement and the aroma of lavender in the air. The following classes are free for festival attendees, and will take place under the Aroma Yoga Tent. (Friday & Saturday only)
Slow Flow Vinyasa: A 1-hour 15 minute vinyasa yoga class. We will turn inward, build slow progressive sequences, and encourage mind/body/spirit connection through longer holding postures. You will feel reinvigorated, calm, and balanced! Class will conclude with a 10-minute guided meditation. All levels welcome! Please bring your own mat.
Slow Flow Vinyasa: Friday + Saturday: July 12 and July 13: 10:30 am & 1:30 pm
Restorative Yin: This 1-hour restorative yoga class will allow you to fully relax and release built up tension in your body. You'll be guided through a yin flow where each posture is held for 3-5 minutes. Take in the calming aroma of lavender as you slow down and tune into your mind and body. All levels welcome! Please bring your own mat.
Friday + Saturday: July 12 and July 13: 4:30 pm
About the instructor: Diana Racek is a Yoga Instructor (RYT 200) in Ann Arbor trained to teach several styles of Yoga: Ashtanga (short form), Vinyasa, and Yin (restorative). Diana believes her students should have the freedom and comfort to experience yoga in their own personal way. She teaches private group sessions as well as public classes at various locations and special events. www.dianaracek.com
Everyone needs a breath of fresh air! Feel your mind clear and your muscles relax as our aromatherapy oxygen bar and inviting surroundings enhance your overall well-being. The Oxygen Bar will be open all three days of the event inside the Wellness Barn.
We will have a gorgeous selection of beautiful, hardy lavender plants perfect for growing in our climate that will make a wonderful addition to your landscape. Fresh flowers, fresh herbs and select perennials will also be available. You don't want to miss seeing the herb guy! (adjacent to the festival entrance)
Just like the Midwest food scene, our Food Truck Gathering is a melting pot of international flavors. You’ll find everything from authentic Polish and Mexican food to Mediterranean, American BBQ, Asian and of course our famous Lavender Lemonade and Lavender Ice Cream we’ve been serving up since it all began in 2002… (Select trucks will offer vegan, vegetarian and gluten friendly options, too!)
Here’s the list of Food Trucks you’ll find at the Original Michigan Lavender Festival this summer:
- Nosh Pit Detroit
- Regina’s Mexican Food Truck
- Dobre Pierogi
- Fortune Cooking Food Truck
- Bavarian Inn Cluck Truck
- Emerson’s On The Grill
- Truck Shuka Detroit
- Fire & Rice
- The Toaster Truck
- Polish Mania Food Truck
- Pizza Parliament Food Truck
- Detroit Gelato Truck
- Crepe Day Twah
- The Big Dipper Edible Cookie Dough Truck
- Peace, Love & Tacos
- French Lavender Patisserie
- 5 degrees North Coffee Roasters