We experienced one of the most peaceful shopping experiences on Saturday, July 11, at the Lilyfest located in the Bishop Educational Gardens in Rockbridge, Ohio.  After parking our car in a field, we were greeted with a map and welcome at no costs and entered the Viking area, which really takes you back to a time when everything was handmade.  My husband had been looking for an Iceland spar crystal and we found one at the first vendor’s tent we visited.  The spar is combined with a leather string to make a necklace.  Shortly after, we came across the opportunity of axe throwing and my husband jumped on that!  Again, there was no charge, but donations were welcome. 

As we continued to meet different vendors (over 60 artists and craftspeople offering pottery, jewelry, stained glass, leather, nature photography, and garden art, etc…) and shop through the woods, the lush green scenery was gorgeous and eventually along the path we discovered the lily pond where beautiful pink lilies bloomed and frogs croaked.  Gnome and fairy gardens were also scattered throughout the woods along with large sculptures incorporated creatively into the landscape.  Live musicians performing during our visit added to the folk ambiance of the artistic and natural atmosphere.     

The Lilyfest runs over a span of three days in July and this year marks their 34th year.  We would recommend taking cash as even though some vendors accept credit cards, the cell service is spotty.  We still were able to purchase a photography and informational book on owls by James N. Brown, the spar necklace, and a beautiful rose quartz.  If you visit next year, would you please leave us a note and share about your experience?