Lincoln BlossomFest ‘an economic powerhouse’
There will be something seldom seen at BlossomFest in Vineland Station on Saturday: blossoms.
“This will only be the second time we’ve had blossoms,” said festival organizer Michelle Smith, who is also general manager of Cherry Lane Farms, a 162-hectare cherry, peach and pear farm on Victoria Avenue hosting the seventh annual event.
“The peach (trees) are in full blossom and the cherries should be in full blossom for (Saturday).”
Smith said the first BlossomFest was the only other time the blossoms were out in time for the event in first week of May; for the past five years, weather delayed the trees from blooming.
Smith said they don’t want to move the event later into the month as it would conflict with Mother’s Day and other events, and by the third week of May the blossoms could be gone.
Along with the blossoms, Smith said, the one-day festival, which runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., offers music, food trucks, a local brewery, two local wineries and 40 artisans, most of whom are from the Niagara region.
“It started as a way to give back to the community and give some space to the community to come out and enjoy blossoms,” said Smith, who noted the first event was held in the farm’s front parking lot and included 20 vendors and other participants.
“It has grown organically,” Smith said. “People come in; they loved what they saw and the next year people are calling (to be) a part of it.”
Admission is free, as is on-site parking, which is expected to extend to the farm’s fields.
“The only thing we ask is a non-perishable food donation to Community Care of West Niagara,” said Smith, who noted about 20 farm staff and volunteers will be on hand to support the event.
“Everyone has been cooped up in the house all winter long, so this is a place for everyone to come out, enjoy themselves and relax,” Smith said.
Britnie Bazylewski, tourism development officer for the Town of Lincoln, said about 5,600 people attended BlossomFest last year, adding the event pumped more than $400,000 into the local economy.
“BlossomFest isn’t just a celebration of our beautiful blossoms — it’s a cornerstone of our tourism industry and an economic powerhouse for Lincoln,” Bazylewski said.
“The economic impact of such an event reverberates throughout our town, benefiting businesses, residents and visitors alike. This exposure not only promotes tourism during the event, but also encourages repeat visits throughout the year, fostering long-term sustainable growth for our local tourism industry.”