PHOTOS BY MEGAN KANE
Even the harshest of winters couldn’t put a damper on the 2014 Purple Ridge Lavender Festival – in fact, it may have played a role in its resounding success.
People came from miles away on Saturday to enjoy the fifth annual festival held at the four-acre lavender farm owned by Jim and Sheri Konningrud.
There was little evidence on Saturday of the effects of the bitterly cold winter that impacted the farm. With temperatures dropping below zero, the Konningrud’s had remove more than 900 French lavender plants. This allowed them, however, to grow more English lavender plants, which are hardier. The festival was moved up to June this year to accommodate the English Lavender’s growing season. The changes had no negative impact on the festival. In fact, Sheri Konningrud said the festival was a spectacular success.
“This is easily the best lavender festival that we’ve ever had,” Sheri Konningrud said. “More people have come this year than ever – I’ve talked to people who have even come from as far as Tacoma.”
“This is my first time here, but I’m already enjoying myself,” Wilcox said. “I’ve already seen a lot here. The wine-tasting was definitely a highlight for me.”
This year’s festival featured a wide variety of different events, including locally-made arts and crafts, a classic car display, and live music from The Shades, Cruise Control, Brad & Bruce Power Duo, and John & Frazer Wambeke.
Festival-goers also visited the lavender gift shop that was built by the Konningruds. The gift shop sold an assortment of lavender-based products, including lavender plants, culinary material, shirts, and books.
Proceeds from the festival benefit Agape House and Martha’s House in Hermiston. For more information on the Konningrud’s farm, visit the Purple Ridge Lavender Farm Facebook page.
