TAMWORTH VILLAGE, N.H. — On Saturday, May 19, Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm in Tamworth Village will be overrun by what some might consider a weed; and all who witness it will be celebrating. On that day, the museum will hold their first annual Dandelion Festival from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., an event that enthusiastically explores–and yes, celebrates–the wonders of a misunderstood plant: the dandelion. Through indoor and outdoor exhibits, tastings, demonstrations and more, the museum will educate visitors on the various ways in which the dandelion has been a staple throughout human history.
The lively festival will serve samplings of dandelion-enriched foods and products as the main, and perhaps most surprising, feature of the day. Dandelion jelly, fritters, pesto and wine, and dandelion flower honey, will allow festival goers to learn flavor qualities of the dandelion.
At several exhibit locations in the Museum Center, museum educators will guide visitors in exploring some of the healthful benefits of the dandelion. Samplings of dandelion cordial and bitters at the Apothecary, root beer at the Soda Fountain, and tea in the Hearth Room, where there will also be a cooking demonstration, will provide insight into why the plant’s by-products were once a common staple in the medicine chest. At the Drug Store, dandelion cosmetics will be presented and can be tried by the public.
In the Museum Center, a new exhibit entitled “Dandelions: Weed or Wonder?” explores many aspects of this common but often-misunderstood plant. Visitors will learn about the curious biology of the common dandelion, its place in the wider ecosystem, and its various uses–as food, medicine, poetic inspiration, and more–from ancient times to the present. It is curated by the museum’s curator, Faithe McCreery.
Across the museum’s extensive grounds, further festivities will include a live beehive, natural lawn care and healthy-garden information, outdoor yoga, a food preserving demonstration, a hands-on watershed model, a live dandelion exhibit, a Dandy Photo Op, face painting and dandelion-themed crafts. Visitors are invited to enjoy the grounds and trails, and visit with the museum’s farm animals at their leisure.
“We’re so excited to hold our first Dandelion Festival,” said Museum educator and herbalist Carol Felice. “We are providing engaging and fun ways for people of all ages to understand what we know to be an amazing plant. The dandelion is such a sunny, cheery plant and we invite the public to come on out and celebrate it with us!”
Potted Remick Museum seedlings, dandelion honey, salve and tea, and bee and natural lawn care products will be available for purchase, as well as foods and treats; while supplies last.
Some of the day’s offerings are scheduled events. Visit the museum’s website for times and a complete listing of planned activities.
The cost for the event is $10.00, $5.00 for children ages 5-10, and free for children ages 4 and younger. Members receive a $2.00 discount. The event will take place rain or shine. Sponsored by Bank of New Hampshire.
–Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm
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