Lilyfest History
The History of Lilyfest
After a wicked winter storm, Bobbi and Bruce Bishop (both retired art teachers) discovered that nature had knocked down nearly 500 trees on their 40 acre property. It took two summers for the Bishops to clear the toppled trees. Once completed, they used their knowledge of color and texture to create spectacular flower and water gardens. The gardens turned out to be so spectacular that the Bishops, along with many of their friends, started calling them, “Their Little Slice of Heaven.”
Bobbi, an accomplished potter, and Bruce, a sculptor, along with four of their artist friends – Wyck Proctor, Joan Newland, Micki Samson and Patti Behnke – came up with the idea to create a festival and opened the gardens for display and to sell their artwork. So in 1992, the six artists invited their neighbors, family and friends, wondering if anyone would come. People did come, about a hundred visitors the first year. Soon other artists asked to display their work during the mid-summer festival.
After that the Lilyfest took on a life of its own. Lilyfest has grown to over 60 artists, with live music throughout the three acres of beautifully designed gardens, showcasing ponds, and a variety of unique garden sculptures. Look for plant sales and ask a master gardener your garden-related questions. Enjoy the nature trails and stroll through The Lost Viking Hoard Encampment. Lilyfest takes pride in showcasing Ohio artists and especially Hocking Hills artists. See you there!
MEDIA INFORMATION
Thank you for your interest in reporting about one of the premier destinations in the Hocking Hills!
This press information gives you a first look at the gardens that encompass Lilyfest, and the artists and musicians who bring their best pieces to showcase for three days the second full weekend each July.
Educate your readers and listeners on what it’s like to stroll through three acres of gardens, thousands of lilies, view artwork from more than 70 different specialized artists and hear Appalachian-style music.
We would love to hear from you. Please contact us for a media tour of Bishop Educational Gardens, home of the wonderful and enchanting Lilyfest! Call Bobbi Bishop at 740-969-2873 or email at rbishoplily2@gmail.com
Lilyfest is built on the shared mission of all participants to foster education in the arts, landscaping and horticulture.
It provides the opportunity for visitors to experience the music and traditional arts and crafts of regional neighbors. Arts and crafts of the area are available to see and purchase. Master Gardeners are on the grounds to answer questions about local plants and their care. Musicians from the region play throughout the weekend and the gardens are designed to show what can be grown and flourish in this area.
Workshops on various garden-related topics are held by Hocking Soil and Water Conservation District and Bishop Educational Gardens. Workshop details can be found at Hocking Soil and Water Conservation District website.
Dedicated to the memory of Bruce Bishop, Lilyfest is located on the grounds of Bishop Educational Gardens, which is a non-profit organization. The festival is open to the public, free of charge, donations are gladly accepted. The festival is committed to being a zero-waste event with recycling and composting bins in numerous locations. No pets please but BEG & Lilyfest follow the ADA guidelines related to service animals.
