Last year, the Conestoga Herb Guild moved its annual Herb Fest from Boettcher House in Landis Woods to Leola. Following a successful event in 2018, president Deidre Remollino and her fellow organizers thought it would be a good idea to change things up a bit again this year. "What is new this year is two speakers," said Remollino, who will speak on the healing benefits of herbs. Jacqueline Bilder will speak on the subject of "Dillightful Herbal Hacks."
Remollino will speak at 10 a.m. and Bilder will speak at noon when the 2019 Herb Fest is held on Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Upper Leacock Township War Memorial Building, 54 W. Main St., Leola, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The War Memorial Building may be found along Route 23 about 6 miles north of Route 30. The theme for this year's fest will be "Embrace Nature."
Organizers of the fest celebrate all things herbal with displays and demonstrations, including a make-and-take presentation on how to make a rosemary topiary. As in the past, there will be a Christmas Corner, a Children's Corner, and a Second-Hand Rose table featuring gently used items. Basket making demonstrations will be held as well. "There's a little something for everyone," noted Remollino.
Additional displays will include fresh herbs, succulents, wreaths, bath products, dried herbs, and cat and dog treats. Herbal aromatherapy products, fresh and dried bouquets, potted plants and potted herbs, and herbal vinegars will also be included.
The Herb Fest always seeks to educate attendees about the herb of the year. This year, the herb is anise hyssop. In addition to an educational display board, organizers plan to have tea samples made from anise hyssop. Other food items will include a variety of herbal beverage samples and fresh baked goods. Jellies and jams will also be available for purchase.
This year, the first 100 visitors will each receive a bag of free gifts, including seeds, pens, candy, and door prize tickets. Door prizes will be given away hourly. Other prizes and giveaways will include two herbal-themed gift baskets.
The guild uses the funds raised by the event to purchase books on the subject of herbs to donate to local libraries, to engage educational guest speakers, and to aid local nonprofit organizations.
The group, which has been in existence for nearly 40 years, meets on the second Wednesday of the month 10 months of the year at 6:30 p.m. at the Upper Leacock Township War Memorial Association building. "We support the war memorial by having our monthly meetings and our Herb Fest here," stated Remollino. "We want to bring more attention to the building and the wonderful veterans who risked their lives for all of us."
Club membership is limited. Readers who are interested in learning about guild membership may call Susan Atkins at 717-725-7451.
Parking at the War Memorial Building is free, and there is no charge to attend the Herb Fest. Readers who have questions about the guild or Herb Fest 2019 may search for "Conestoga Herb Guild" on Facebook.
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