THE LAVENDER FESTIVAL at The Kentucky Castle provided visitors with a shopping experience in the castle›s greenhouse that included a large group of regional vendors. (Photo by Scott White)

LAVENDER FESTIVAL visitors at The Kentucky Castle were undeterred by the rain and damp ground as they enjoyed harvesting a small amount of the fragrant lavender. (Photo by Scott White)

 

RAPUNZEL came down from her room in one of The Kentucky Castle towers to meet some of her friends, a group of cousins who dressed specially to meet the princess. (Photo by Scott White)

 

 

By Scott White

Woodford Sun Staff

Visitors to The Kentucky Castle over the weekend could be forgiven for believing they were at a chateau in the Provence region of France, famous for its fields of lavender, which grow in the rugged terrain of the Valensole plateau.

But they weren’t.

The Kentucky Castle embraced its iconic status modeled by the original owner/builder, Rex Martin, who sought to create a French castle for his new bride after a honeymoon there by planting two small lavender fields directly beyond the front gate. Now, fully mature, travelers along Versailles Road are treated to the blueish-purple blooms in June. 

“The Lavender Festival was the brainchild of Toni Myers, our on-site educator for the Locust Trace Ag Science Center, who taught here for several years before retiring. Now, one of her students, Kristen Elrod, has taken her place,” said Christie Eckerline, Kentucky Castle’s chief operating officer. “Toni and her students designed the lavender fields. We chose one of the students’ designs, and we planted right in front.” 

Toni realized that the Woodford County soil could be amended to mimic the necessary conditions for lavender to flourish, and it did. 

“The first year after the planting, we had all this beautiful lavender,” said Eckerline. “Toni said, ‘We should have a lavender festival.’ And so we did, and this is our seventh year.” 

And, it has proven to be wildly successful . . . so much so that visitors purchase timed entries over the three-day festival that was held Friday, June 26, through Sunday, June 28. 

Eckerline said this was the first year the event sold out, with nearly 3,000 in attendance. And despite lots of rain that was heavy at times, she said the castle and grounds were packed. 

Once there, visitors were able to enjoy lavender-infused drinks, including a special cocktail using the castle’s sister company’s “True Story” bourbon. Castle managing partner Wes Henderson confirmed that The Kentucky Castle is owned by an entirely separate entity from the one that recently was forced to back away from the planned distillery in Versailles’ Edgewood Farm development, and that Kentucky Castle was going strong.

The festival offered live music and food, and folks could wander into the fields to cut their own bouquet of lavender to take home. Workshops on beekeeping and lavender cultivation were offered. There was also a curated vendor area set up under a large tent, which offered a panoply of lavender-based items from lotions, spa products, sachets and even clothing, along with many regional craftspeople offering their wares.

“Lavender has now become a big focus for us and our spa, where they use it for body scrubs and lavender body butter. Our chefs and bartenders use it in their creations; we also use it to infuse our honey, which we make at our own apiary,” said Eckerline. “We also have our princesses here today (Saturday), which is family day. Rapunzel is in the ballroom now, meeting lots of children who are also being helped to make their own lavender sachet.”

Eckerline, wearing a drenched raincoat and a bright smile, said, “Every year the festival has grown, and we are always looking for new ways to use and share our lavender. We also like to bring in lots of local vendors from this region, including a lot of craftspeople, so people can enjoy what Kentucky is about.”

But with a castle and lavender fields, it is Kentucky with more than a dash of France.

“This festival really blends the natural charm of Kentucky with the magic of The Kentucky Castle,” Eckerline said. “We really are excited to offer and share this one-of-a-kind celebration of summer, agriculture and local creativity.”