From left, Pam Simpson of Lynchburg, Loretta Fortune of Forest, and Becky Martin of Holcomb Rock in Bedford County on the James River gather sweet-smelling bouquets of lavender at the Evergreen Lavender Festival on June 18.

 Sharon Walker/Times Virginian

One can visit the Evergreen Lavender Farm in Appomattox County anytime from May to September, Thursday through Saturday, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

But the Evergreen Lavender Festival is an event that should be visited at least once in a lifetime.

Gently rolling hills — not a bad hike — take you to the center of what smells so good. On one hand, there are vendors selling everything under the sun: food, stained glass, pottery, cards, jewelry, stuffed and sewn animals, embroidered hats and collars.

There also is lavender ice cream for sale as well as lavender jelly, lavender lemonade, lavender syrup, lavender cakes, lavender milkshakes and lavender oil.

Then there is the lavender itself, growing in the fields, with tiny bumblebees dancing around even as people are snipping off the buds to take home.

This year’s festival was held June 18, but check out the Evergreen Lavender Farm’s website at evergreenlavender.com for a planned visit next year.

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