2023 DATE: July 14-16, 2023
This post documents my experience on July 11, 2015.
Out in Rockbridge’s Bishop Educational Gardens…
…vehicles were directed where to park on the wet fields after driving some miles on back roads.
From here, festival goers made their way to a walking path…
…and even took a copy of a map, if need be…
…to navigate their way through LilyFest.
Before reaching the main festival area, the forest path was utilized…
…with a medieval-esque historic encampment…
…where visitors could admire and possibly purchase items skillfully crafted…
…and throw a hatchet or three.
Then, after a short walk through the woods…
…the darkness lifted…
…and the festival’s true draw came to light…
…gardens that brought in festival goers since Bobbi and Bruce Bishop first showcased only 5 artists in their gardens back in 1992.
Gardens were sometimes mixed with art…
…sometimes culturally themed…
…but always demanding the attention of a camera or cell phone.
And as festival goers passed through doorways…
…or explored various paths…
…(sometimes while tugging a not-so-cooperative child along)…
…they got to enjoy some great music…
…have a faerie decorate their arms and hands with henna (Henna Faerie)…
…and shop among 70 artists with offerings that included jewelry (Paul Tescher)…
…metal work…
…corn husk dolls (Anna Allen)…
…and sculptures in wood…
…stone…
…and nature.
Obviously, nature was particularly important at LilyFest…
…as there were both volunteer naturalists and master gardeners present…
…to help educate visitors with all the potential plant purchases available.
There was even a butterfly house…
…that was definitely worth checking out.
Finally, food included chicken salad sandwiches, hot dogs and plenty of treats (Bussert’s)…
…including gourmet cupcakes (Lisa’s Cake Shop)…
…hand dipped ice cream…
…and special white chocolate coated Lily pretzels.
Good thing there was the opportunity to walk it off.