Rows of lavender dotted the sprawling farmland beside a large green barn under sunny skies at Lavender on the Bryn’s Evening Lavender Fest at Penbryn Farms on June 20.
More than 40 local vendors offered food and handcrafted items for sale. Attendees enjoyed face painting, tractor rides, lawn games, a balloon twister and a strolling photographer.
Soft music echoed in the distance as local residents mingled and browsed the vendor stalls.
Megan Jones, owner of Hopping Pigments, was one of the many vendors at the event. Jones’ vibrant, intricate paintings of animals were displayed on an art wall for potential buyers to admire.
“I’ve been an artist pretty much since I was three, when my mom taught me how to draw, and I just kind of ran with it from there,” Jones said. “I went to school for art, but this has always been my passion.”
“Outdoor shows and craft events in general are something that’s still new to me, but I love the art community of South Jersey,” she continued. “I think it’s so welcoming, and there’s such a broad spectrum of people.”
Mother-daughter team, Carol and Amanda Sapp, displayed charming floral, landscape and animal paintings rendered in watercolor and oil paint. Their artwork and photography are sold on Etsy and can also be viewed on Instagram and Facebook.
“It’s just been a beautiful day, really a lovely farm, and it’s been a nice community event,” Amanda Sapp said.
This is their first time attending the Evening Lavender Fest, but the Sapps participate in approximately 12 to 14 shows each year throughout Philadelphia and the Jersey Shore.
Nikki Edmond-Pecou, creative director of Curvy Girl Collective, joined her fellow artisans to showcase her colorful handmade handbags, makeup bags, coin purses and embroidered items. This was, also, her first time attending the Evening Lavender Fest.
“[There’s been] a lot of quick traffic, a lot of people, [and it has been] well-organized,” Edmond-Pecou said. “I’ve actually enjoyed the day. It’s a perfect day outside, but so far, so good. It’s been a really good event, nice people, and good for me financially.”
Edmond-Pecou’s handcrafted items can be viewed on her website, Curvy Girl Collective, as well as on Facebook and Instagram.
Olivia Clark, owner of Liv & Mortimer LLC, who creates delicately designed dried floral arrangements, attended the Evening Lavender Fest last year and was pleased to return.
The Evening Lavender Fest was first held in 2024, and this marks the third year of what has become an annual event.
“This has far exceeded my expectations from last year,” Clark said. “This event is getting bigger, and it’s been really great.”
Clark’s floral creations can be found on her website, Liv & Mortimer.
The next event at Penbryn Farms will be Morning Bloom Gentle Yoga and Sound Healing from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 11.
Penbryn Farms is located at 121 Penbryn Rd, Berlin, NJ 08009.
Penbryn farms hosts the Evening Lavender Fest on June 20.
