Storm Wrecks Lavender Festival Vendors

A severe pop-up storm on Saturday, July 18, caused significant damage to vendors participating in Blake's Lavender Festival in Armada. Heavy winds and rain overturned tents, scattering and damaging merchandise and equipment. This unfortunate event followed the festival's closure on the preceding Friday due to wildfire smoke. Vendors experienced heartbreaking losses, with some unable to recover their inventory or displays. Great Lakes Lavender Farm reported losses in the thousands, while The Chic Lounge, LLC, managed to salvage some clothing but lost accessories and other products. Many vendor tents, some secured with heavy weights, were destroyed. Approximately 80% of the tents at the event were reportedly broken. Blake Farms stated that 100% of ticket profits from Sunday, July 19, the festival's final day, would be donated to the affected vendors and first responders. Support for these small businesses is being encouraged through social media engagement and spreading the word about their offerings.