ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The 20th annual Lavender in the Village Festival, the self-described largest lavender festival in the Southwest, will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Balloon Fiesta Park.
Hosted by the Rio Grande Community Farm, the festival raises funds for community gardeners, farms, and agricultural programs for students. Open to all ages, this event will feature more than 150 local vendors offering lavender plants and products, fine art, artisan crafts, food and beverages. Visitors also can enjoy live music, gardening demonstrations, crafts, and various activities for children.
The Rio Grande Community Farm is an Albuquerque-based nonprofit urban farm that says it is dedicated to “prioritizing food justice, biodiversity, and climate resilience.” The organization offers opportunities for people of all age groups to “learn, share, and give back” to their community through agriculture.
Located on the Farm Stage, this year’s presentations will begin at 8:30 a.m. with an opening prayer by Homer Hubbell. The schedule features the following events:
- 9 a.m. – Red Willow Basket Weaving with Jilli Oyenque
- 10 a.m. – “What’s Growing at the Agri-Nature Center” with Erin Callahan
- 11 a.m. – Permaculture Design presented by Vital Soil Landscapes
- 12 p.m. – Indigenous Farming Practices with Homer Hubbell, Jana and Chad Pfeiffer
- 1 p.m. – Tree Care in New Mexico presented by Tree New Mexico
- 2 p.m. – Healthy Soils with Sarah Mock and New Mexico Healthy Soils
Live entertainment begins with Seth Hoffman from 8:30 to 10 a.m., followed by The Ukuladies from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and ending with True House Story, who will perform from 1 to 3 p.m.
General admission is $12 for attendees 16 and older, with a two-for-$20 ticket option available. Admission for children ages 4 to 15 is $5, and children 3 and younger can attend for free. Tickets can be purchased through the event website.
Organizers encourage visitors to bring a water bottle, sunscreen, and other items as it is an outdoor event. Parking will be available at Balloon Fiesta Park.
For more information, visit https://lavender.riograndefarm.org.
Nolan Rodrigues Walsh is an Albuquerque-born journalist covering community news and events. They prioritize empathy, transparency, and a community-centered approach. They can be reached on Instagram at @brantonenews.
