As you visit the Lavender Festival you may notice the changes to the west side of the Blanco Town Square. Uptown Blanco Arts and Entertainment is really beginning to take shape. The sidewalks are done, the railings are up and the canopies are in progress. Currently the restaurant, art center, courtyard and ballroom are open.

Once again, Uptown Blanco Art Center and Uptown Blanco Restaurant are buzzing with their preparations for the exciting 2009 Blanco Lavender Festival.

The Lavender Festival celebration begins at Uptown Blanco Arts and Entertainment on June 5 (5 to 7:30pm) with a fine arts show opening featuring renowned Hill Country Artists. Ben Beckendorf, Melissa Grimes, David Everett, Margie Crisp, Victoria Smith and Peggy Weiss are only a few of the exceptional artists lined up for this event. This fine art show will run the entire month of June and be open the same hours as Uptown Blanco Restaurant.

On June 13 and 14, the actual ‘festival’ days, the restaurant will be open all day for you convenience. The menu is a wonderful blend of some of the freshest Hill Country ingredients, and for the occasion Chef Robert has created some lavender infused specials. The courtyard will have shaded seating with a menu of three types of sandwiches and two bars that will feature lavender lemonade, lavender infused wine coolers and Blanco Pale Ale Beer. So stop by during the Festival, have lunch in our beautiful rock walled courtyard behind the restaurant and enjoy a lavender lunch and libations al fresco, or visit the restaurant for a fine dining experience. Enjoy a glass of wine or just come in for a little air conditioning while you take a look around at the beautiful restoration of the historic buildings.

Don’t forget to visit the art center (adjoining the courtyard and around the corner from the restaurant); there will art demonstrations in painting and pottery as well as craft making and storytelling for the children.