The 2008 Lavender in the Village Festival made for a relaxing day filled with great smells, live music, and fun for the whole family. This annual event, which is in its fifth year, showcases the historic agricultural lands in the valley and small businesses in the Village of Los Ranchos.

There was something for everyone at this festival including a barn dance and BBQ on Friday night followed by two days of events, classes, markets, children's activities and of course- lavender! Here are some of the highlights from the various event locations:

• Growers and Arts/Crafts Market : Fresh produce, lavender goat cheese and pasta, lavender jewelry, soaps, and artwork, and classes on growing, cooking and using lavender.
• The Village Green and Barn Pavilion: Live music, food, face painting, and plenty of children's activities.
• Los Poblanos Inn and Lavender Fields : Tractor rides, u-pick lavender fields, beer and music garden, flower fairy garden tours, lavender vendors, historic tours and more.
• Casa Rodena Winery : Lavender sangria, great food and music, and a beautiful setting.
• Events on 4th Street: Local businesses and galleries, live music, and free lavender tile painting for kids at Kelly Jo Designs .

If you missed the festival this year, you can catch a glimpse of the Los Poblanos Inn and Lavender Fields in the slide-show below. For a more real experience, pick a stalk of lavender from your yard and hold it under your nose while watching- as the intense lavender fragrances filled the entire festival!

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.