The Lavender Festival at the Chatfield Botanic Gardens has become a family tradition for us since our kids were toddlers. It’s always just for one weekend during July, so I tend to set myself a reminder to look for tickets in June. Tickets for non-members are $15 each per adult and $9 per kid. Admission includes: Demonstrations in the dye garden and working blacksmith shop, ability to explore Chatfield Farms and curated Gardens, entertainment by a line-up of local Colorado bands performing in the amphitheater, barrel train rides, lawn games and a kids craft area. My kids look forward to this festival every year, but I love it as much as them!
First and foremost is my hot tip: When coming into the Chatfield Botanic Gardens from 470, exit off Kipling turning south, then go east on Deer Creek Canyon. This will bring you in from the west and trust me, you want to come in from the west. If you come in from the east, you have to wait for ages for every fucking car to turn right into the lot while you try and get a left. Heed my advice, or wait in the car line for an unnecessary extra hour. 😉
Kids Activities at the Lavender Festival:
Face painting: My kids race to get their faces painted first. You can both kids through the years in the photo above. When Winnie was a toddler, she didn’t want her face painted but didn’t want to miss out, so they painted paw prints on her legs. To date they’re some of my favorite pictures of her.
Crafts: They always have some sort of craft for the kids. One year, they got to paint flower pots and plant their own fresh lavender seeds. The next one, they got to paint rocks like ladybugs and bees. Another year, they got to decorate mugs. This year, they once again decorated flower pots and got to plant sunflowers in their pots.
Barrel Rides: I don’t have any photos of my kids on the barrel train besides during the pumpkin patch that the botanic gardens hosts during the fall. But I wanted you to see the cute barrel rides that are offered!
Wagon rides: Wagon rides are also free (you just tip the driver at the end). They’re a great way to keep cool too because you catch a nice breeze whilst riding them. You get taken around the farm to see the entire property, and kids love being pulled on the giant wagon via the tractor.
Food and drink options at the lavender festival:
As soon as we get the kids’ faces painted, Vince and I immediately grab a lavender beer. The kids love the lavender lemonade, and it’s usually very hot during the festival. I love all the lavender flavored items. This year, instead of lavender beer, they offered lavender hard cider – which was equally delicous! For food, they tend to have the same food trucks year after year which include: Kona ice, Cheese Love Grill (they serve grilled cheese and Philly cheesesteaks), The Walking Taco, and they also have funnel cakes, kettle corn, and gyros.
Shopping at the lavender festival:
Last year, I found my favorite vendor, a shop called, Electric Dream that sells hilarious items as well as cute women’s clothing and accessories. You can see by the photos below that I did some great retail damage. Last year, I bought the reusable tote, towel, “fuck it” necklace, and candle. This year I got a toiletry kit that says, “shit”, a mama bear necklace, another candle, and cute earrings for the girls. (Never fear, they were appropriate – just see below!)
Entertainment at the lavender festival:
There’s also live music continually performed during the day. And for the visitors who want to get a more educational experience, you can watch demonstrations in the dye shop and working blacksmith shop. Or you can get gardening tips from one of the many horticulturists and farmers that work on the property. And if you’re of the antisocial persuasion, you can simply browse the gardens or take a wagon ride through the gardens.
For other ideas on what to do with kids around town, check out my blog here, here, or for upcoming winter festivities, read here. Thanks for stopping by!
