IMLAY CITY, Mich. (WXYZ) — The 23rd Annual Michigan Lavender Festival opens Friday at the Eastern Michigan State Fairgrounds in Imlay City, with organizers expecting up to 15,000 visitors over the weekend.
See Carli Petrus' full report from Imlay City in the video below
"We'll see anywhere from five to 10 to 15,000 people over the weekend," said Michigan Lavender Festival organizer Bonnie Swope.
Related: Here are the summer events across metro Detroit for 2025
This year's festival features more than 200 artists, 12 food trucks, and numerous vendors selling lavender products and other goods.
Swope clarified a common misconception about the event: "The Michigan Lavender Festival is not a farm. We're actually a big, beautiful festival that celebrates all things lavender in Michigan. So, we have many lavender farmers that are coming to join us here and they're bringing their lavender with them and their products."
Among those farmers is Leo Super with Super and Son Nursery and Landscape in Imlay City, who will be selling lavender plants at various price points.
"The smaller quarts are going to be $6 and then we'll go up into the gallons that will be $14 to $19," Super said.
Lavender is known for its fragrant purple flowers and potential health benefits, including calming and comforting effects.
Super noted that this year's growing season presented challenges. "We've had some cool weather this spring so that's going to impact its development," he said.
To overcome these difficulties, Super relied on greenhouse cultivation. "We've been trying to utilize a heated structure where we can control that environment but yeah typically the lavender is going to look good the end of June into the end of July," he said.
Despite the challenges, Super is excited to share his plants with festival attendees. "Oh it's awesome you know, to see a smile on their face and again, who doesn't love smelling lavender, it's just soothing, relaxing and it's a beautiful plant," Super said.
Tickets for the event are $10, with free admission for children under 12.
Click here for the official festival website.
Other events taking place this weekend in metro Detroit include:
- Downtown Detroit: June 7-8 – Detroit Motor City Pride
- Livonia: June 6-7 – Motor City Irish Fest
- Downtown Ann Arbor: June 7 – Ann Arbor African American Festival
- Dearborn Heights: June 4-8 – Summer Fest
- Lake Orion: June 7-8 – Canterbury Village Medieval Faire
- New Hudson: June 7-8 – Lyon Township International Kite Festival
- Flat Rock: June 7 – Save the Dam Jam at Huron Park
- Melvindale: June 5-8 – Melvindale Days Festival
- Southgate: June 6-7 – Southgate Heritage Days
- Taylor: June 8 – Colonial Days
- Wyandotte: June 7 – Skip Clack Fishing Derby
- Auburn Hills: June 7 - Paddlepalooza
- Auburn Hills: June 8 – River Day & Fishing Derby
- Clarkston: June 6 – Splash into Summer at Deer Lake Beach
- Farmington: June 7-8 – Art on the Grand
- Ferndale: June 7 - Geary Park Skate Jam
- Holly: June 7 – Art in the Alley
- Oak Park: June 7 – Family Fun Fest
- Oxford: June 5-8 – Seymour Celebration
- Springfield Twp: June 8 – Fishing Derby
- Harrison Twp: June 8 – Fishing Derby
- Mount Clemens: June 6-7 – Bud Light Classic Car Show
- New Haven: June 7 – River Day/Flower Day
- St. Clair Shores: June 7 – Junefest
- Shelby Twp: June 7 - Packards & Pints 2025 – Beer, wine, cocktails, & cars
- Ypsilanti: June 6 – Ypsi Pride 2025
- Hartland: June 7-8 – Hartland Polo Classic
- Milan: June 7 – Milan Mi Pride Parade
- Port Huron: June 6-8 – Art on the River
- Port Huron: June 7 – Sturgeon Fest
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