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PHILLIPS – Lilacs, azaleas, and all kinds of perennials will be showcased when Sandy River Gardens hosts their Fourth Annual Lilac Festival, set for the weekend of June 5 and 6.
On Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm, Sandy River Gardens’ owners David and Mary Lou King will host the festival, complete with refreshments (lemon cake, chocolate cake, punch and coffee for the early birds) and greet people with a free perennial. There are over a dozen varieties from which to choose. “We try to make it festive and fun,” said King.
The Kings point out they have 22 varieties of lilacs planted in the yard and over 1,000 perennials on site. And while they can’t control the weather, they are in hopes that the lilacs will be in full bloom this weekend. Additionally, Sandy River Gardens has 20 varieties of bearded iris located in a new bed, 40 types of day lilies, a variety of high bush blueberries, and azaleas galore.
Sandy River Gardens has been a work in progress since the Kings moved here 22 years ago. Lilacs have been their passion. There are so many different kinds. They come in all colors: dark purple, lavender, pink, blue, white, etc. There are single blooms, double, and triple. Worldwide there are over 2,500 varieties of lilacs, and David says, 100 of them are readily available.
The Festival has taken off since its first year in 2007. Mary Lou laughs, jokingly but seriously saying people should bring their fish pole and go fishing in the South Branch of the Sandy River, and make a day of it.
“It’s fun, we just love it,” she said.
Make sure you clock the mileage once you turn off Route 4 going up Number Six located on Route 4 heading north out of Phillips towards Madrid because, as David King says, “you’ll think you’ll never get there.”
In the event that you cannot make it to the festival and would like more information about Sandy River Gardens or the Lilac Festival, contact the David and Mary Lou at 639-4302.
