COWICHAN FESTIVAL of LAVENDER™
 

Since its inception in 2003, the Cowichan Festival of Lavender™ has been an intentional gathering of the unique, the original, the genuine, the positive - celebrating that which resonates, that which has integrity...

With  all those qualities in spades, for four summer weekends  we gathered a group of stellar artists and artisans in many media: visual, tactile and scent oriented - textiles, glassware, sculpture, natural body care, garden art, jewellery, handmade paper, clothing and adornments both practical and charmant for your self, home and garden!

AND the artisan gourmature! People like our great supporter, James Barber, chef and adopted Cowichan paysan extraordinaire who so generously shared his culinary wisdom; Don Genova, Bill Jones, the fine folks at Equinox Restaurant in Duncan, Gary Faessler of River's Bend Winery and many other friends who came to share their  wonderful food,  wine and  wit!

As for the entertainment - nothing short of brilliant! We invited Twango up from the big city to delight us  with their unique fusion of Gypsy jazz and Hot Club de Paris retro-Django swing - and lots of  dancing to our own Bijoux du Bayou...  Bob Campbell and Eugene Smith kept us all smiling over the years.

And so many people came  to the beautiful festival sites - Valhalla Farm in western Cowichan, Bird's Eye Cove Farm to the east... thousands of people came to enjoy the   performances, the unique things to integrate into their lives, the information, the food, plants and healing ambience - the lavender vibe.

The Cowichan Festival of Lavender is all about connecting - tilting your head to invite new vision - living as it matters. 

But alas, we're  going to say 'ciao for now' -  and take a break in 2007.

Many, many  thanks to all the volunteers and artisans, hosts and entertainers, supporters and guests - thank you for making the dream a reality, for us all.

Beth Lischeron
Cowichan Festival of Lavender Founder & Coordinator

ps: I'll be offering lavender workshops  in July 2007 at Hatley Castle & Cobble Hill - please call or email for more info, dates will be announced by March 2007.

The Cowichan Festival of Lavender is the 'amethyst jewel in the crown' of the growing Cowichan Lavender Initiative. Building on our reputation as Canada's Provence, we're setting out to create the 'Lavender Capital of Canada'! We're working with a wide range of people: those who wish to enhance their properties in an ecologically sensible way (lavender is perfect for our climate, requiring little irrigation and no chemical inputs); herbalists and others working in the holistic health field; agricultural small holders who can grow lavender as a cash crop, or add value to extant businesses such as bed and breakfast operations. The Festival serves as the focal point for exploring the huge potential of lavender as a sustainable economic development strategy to benefit the entire Cowichan and southern Vancouver Island region.

To reach Beth  call 250-743-8036 or e-mail cowichanlavender@shaw.ca

credits:  lavender images by Pipi Tustian; that's Beth with James Barber at the first festival

©2002-04 Dragonfly Dreaming
Site Design by Connemara