Johnson City, Texas. The Texas Hill Country Lavender Growers Association announced today its sponsorship of the first Texas Hill Country Lavender Festival to be held on Saturday, October 4, from 10 to 5, when four of the Texas Hill Country lavender farms near Johnson City will open their gates to the public for the Hill Country’s first fall lavender festival. The farms invite you to visit and enjoy the uniqueness of each.

Association spokesperson, Chelita Riley, noted that for the first time lavender lovers can experience lavender in the Texas Hill Country at one of the most beautiful times of year when the weather is most comfortable, adding it has been a well kept secret in the Hill Country that the fall season produces some of the most picturesque lavender blooms of the year. Bring your camera and be prepared to take home a fresh bouquet of lavender.

Each farm has special events planned, and there will be special items for holiday shopping and lavender plants for fall planting. Visit the farm websites to see what each lavender destination has to offer. Other Association lavender growers will participate in the festival by offering products at the farms on tour, making your lavender experience even more complete. Admission to the farms is free. Expect to Relax!

All farms are conveniently located just off U. S. Hwy. 290 West, from south of Johnson City to east of Fredericksburg, so it’s easy to visit all four in one day while enjoying the beautiful Texas Hill Country scenery. Along this same route are rustic wineries such as Texas Hills Vineyard and Becker’s Vineyard.

Going west from Austin/San Antonio, farms on tour are:

•Miller Creek Lavender Farm – 8453 Miller Creek Loop (just past 281/290 Austin intersection, turn left on Miller Creek Loop, 4/10 m on the right) www.millercreeklavender.com 512-934-1616.

•Chantilly Lace County Inn & Lavender Farm – 625 Nugent Ave (turn west at Johnson City 290/281 intersection, ½ m to traffic light. right on Nugent, 1 m on left) www.chantillylacesoaps.com 830-868-2767.

•The Meadows at Flat Creek Lavender Farm & Ranch – 852 Flat Creek Road (one mile west of Johnson City, left on Flat Creek Rd, ¾ m on right) www.lavendermeadow.com

830-385-5336.

•Becker Vineyard’s Lavender Farm – 464 Becker Farms Rd (3 miles west of Stonewall, off Highway 290 on Jenschke Lane) www.beckervineyards.com 830-644-2681.

In the evening, participate in an authentic Johnson City tradition. The Ninth Annual Wild Game Dinner, featuring a wild game feast, starts at 5 pm, benefiting the Blanco County Youth Stock Show. Live and silent auctions rival those found at any major city benefit. Wind down the evening dancing to a western band as the October Hunter’s Moon begins its journey.

The Texas Hill Country Lavender Growers Association is a nonprofit association of lavender growers dedicated to promoting research, education, growth, market development, and distribution of lavender and lavender products.

For additional information, contact Chelita Riley at 830-385-5336, P. O. Box 1717, Johnson City, TX 78636.