Lilyfest brings crafts and music for a relaxing weekend in the gardens

By: Talia Milewich
Posted on: Monday, July 21, 2025

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ROCKBRIDGE, Ohio (WOUB) — Walking into the gardens at Lilyfest, you’re immediately hit by the sweet smell of flowers, the light breeze under the tall trees and the soft sound of music. 

This and more is what visitors experienced at the annual Lilyfest. Held the second weekend of July, the annual festival gives people a space to showcase their crafts and connect with nature.

Alesia Miller with the Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist Program says people from all ages come out to the fest. “They learn how to craft with nature and hopefully get more in touch with nature,” Miller said.

Over 60 artists and musicians came out to showcase their best work at the festival. From wind chimes and fairy gardens to Appalachian-style music, the festival had it all.

The festival provides visitors with an opportunity to experience regional arts and music as well as experience the environment firsthand. Taking place across 3 acres of gardens with flowers all around, people were able to take a relaxing walk in between viewing the work from local artists.

“It’s just very simple … flowers and crafts, that type of thing,” Louie Bourgeouis said while attending for the second time.

Some visitors have attended year after year where others were checking out the festival for the first time. Jill Palmer came with her mom one of the first years of the fest and only recently returned after almost 20 years.

“I remember going in the past and it’s grown a lot since the first time I came, but it’s really neat to see,” Palmer said.

She got a chance to appreciate the nature of the area and even bring some home with her. “We love flowers and seeing all the gardens, and last year we got lilies and planted the lilies,” Palmer said.

Visitors emphasized the importance of having festivals that celebrate and showcase the environment in a relaxing and peaceful way. “There needs to be more festivals like this that are low key, relaxing and prices are right,” Miller said.

The fest was started in 1992 by Bobbi and Bruce Bishop along with four other artists. They invited friends, family and neighbors to their gardens to showcase their work. 

“It’s just a neat place. Bobbi has created a utopia,” Miller said.

About 100 people showed up that first year and the fest has continued to grow since with more artists and visitors coming out.

“It’s just kind of mind blowing because it really has exploded,” Bourgeois said.