Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Lavender festival this weekend


A participant enjoys a soothing massage on the scenic grounds of the festival.
 (The Spokesman-Review)
Allyson Schnabel Correspondent

The Pend Oreille Lavender Festival, with its rich mixture of culture, community and nature, attracts locals and visitors from all over the Inland Northwest and beyond.

The festival takes place this weekend.

Located in Newport, Wash., the Lavender Festival is home to the breathtaking lavender fields nestled on the east bank of the Pend Oreille River, along Le Clerc Creek.

Alanna Mitchell, a festival volunteer, explains the draw to participate. “I joined the festival as a volunteer this year because it is a wonderful opportunity to bring the community together in a summer celebration of the best products and produce in the Inland Northwest.”

Not only does the festival feature a spectacular display of lavender and lavender products, it also celebrates the rich cultural history of the area by featuring local artisans, professional musicians and traditional Hungarian dancers. “The lavender festival really displays the melting pot of culture we enjoy,” Mitchell says. “We’d like visitors to the area to understand our rich cultural heritage.”

According to Mitchell, the fascinating historical background of the area includes the legends behind the old Conner Homestead. More than 100 years old, the old homestead housed original pioneers to the Pend Oreille River area. There, in 1900, Chief Masalau of the Kalispel Tribe met with Homer Conner in peace, and they broke bread together. According to historical documentation, Conner even played his violin to entertain the chief. Today, the Kalispel tribe endorses the Lavender Festival by being one of its main sponsors.

The current owners of the Conner Homestead, Jerry and Wendy Kapelke, originally had the idea to bring the community together for the Lavender Festival. Wendy started Le Clerc Creek Lavenders in 1998. Mitchell explains that part of the mystique of this particular festival is its unique location on the riverside and the unmistakable scent of lavender that surrounds visitors as they enjoy the event.

“We are very proud of what we have and what we have achieved in the Pend Oreille Valley,” says Mitchell. “The Pend Oreille Lavender Festival is a great opportunity to share those achievements.”