Take time to smell the flowers

Lavender festivals in California and elsewhere celebrate the fragrant bush as flora, food and therapy.

By Ann Pryor, Special to The Times
12:00 AM PDT, June 11, 2006

LAVENDER'S regal tint and subtle aroma conjure up images of trim purple rows under a hot Provence sun or Victorian-era sachets in Nana's dresser drawers. But its delightful fragrance, calming properties and striking hue have been celebrated for thousands of years, and the purple reign continues.

Lavender will be lauded this month and next as farm associations and growers across the country host lavender festivals.

Four years ago, Susan McRae and fellow lavender farmer Sandy Messori helped launch a festival in Ojai, and since then business has been blooming. About 2,000 people attended the first festival in 2003; McRae expects the turnout will be 6,000 on Saturday for the third annual Ojai Lavender Festival.

"It's a full day of fragrance fun," she adds, noting the roster of local musicians and performers, craft lessons, demonstrations and speakers. Free admission; (805) 798-1231, http://www.lavenderfestival.net .

In a decade, the Sequim, Wash., Lavender Festival has flowered into the official American meet-up of the lavender trade.

Nearly 30,000 people attended last year. It's sponsored by the Sequim Lavender Growers Assn., representing nearly 30 area farms. The conference at the 10th annual Lavender Festival, July 14 to 16, includes Ellen Spector Platt, author of "Lavender: How to Grow and Use the Fragrant Herb." The festival also will include a lavender hoedown barn dance, live music, local art vendors and a display by Sequim's Sunbonnet Quilt Club.

Farm tours are $10; (877) 681-3035, http://www.lavenderfestival.com .

Among other festivals:

Fairfield, Pa.: The fourth annual Pennsylvania Lavender Festival will be Friday to Sunday; (717) 642-6387, http://www.palavenderfestival.com . Admission is $3, children younger than 12 admitted free. Lectures are $15 each.

? Sonoma, Calif.: Sonoma Lavender Festival, Saturday and Sunday; (707) 523-4411, http://www.sonomalavender.com/festival.htm . Admission is $5 per car.

Valley Center, Calif.: The fifth annual Lavender Days Festival, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 24 and 25. Free; (888) 407-1489, http://www.thelavenderfields.com .

Romeo, Mich.: The fourth annual Michigan Lavender Festival will be July 21 and 22; (586) 336-0418, michlavenderfestival.com. Admission $3 for one day or $5 for a two-day pass.

Athol, Idaho: The second annual Northwest Lavender Guild Festival, July 22 and 23; (208) 687-2274, http://www.northwestlavenderguild.org . Admission $1 per person and parking is free.