Lemon Lily Fest Announces A Taste of Idyllwild Fundraiser

INLAND EMPIRE, Calif. - June 16, 2014 - PRLog -- Join us at A Taste of Idyllwild, a Launch Party for the 2014 Lemon Lily Festival. Held at a in the beautiful gardens of a private home in Idyllwild, two fun events from past years are being combined for this year's festival. An early evening of food, beverage, music and nature benefits the Lemon Lily restoration and the Idyllwild Garden Club. Enjoy theh beautiful O'Beck Garden and celebrate the Lemon Lily in its natural environment while experiencing culinary creations by some of Idyllwild's most popular restaurants.

Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Tickets may be purchased prior to the event at the Nature Center (659-3850) or by PayPal at info@lemonlilyfestival.com.

Founded in 2009 and in its fifth year, the festival's mission is to promote, restore, and educate the public about the Lemon Lily (Lilium parryi), a species of lily that is indigenous to the San Jacinto Mountains.

Early in the 20th century, the mountains were covered in this fragrant yellow flower, often found growing near moist riparian areas. Over the course of the last century, the Lemon Lily was severely over-harvested by visitors to the point of near local-extinction. In 2009, a group of local business folks along with the support of the Idyllwild Nature Center formed a committee to raise awareness and support in an effort to restore the Lemon Lilly to its natural habitat as well as promote the mountain village of Idyllwild.

In 2010, the late Huell Howser produced a segment for "Visiting with Huell Howser" about the festival.

With an average attendance of 3000 visitors, the festival offers activities for all ages: A real, old time pioneer town, educational talks and activities, nature hikes walks, crafts, food, live bluegrass music, beer garden, local artisans, and much more. Many activities are free, and all proceeds go to help restore the beautiful Lemon Lily to the San Jacinto Mountains. The Lemon Lily Festival is supported by The FRIENDS of the San Jacinto Mountain Parks, which is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

For more information, please send an email to info@lemonlilyfestival.com, visit the website at www.lemonlilyfestival.com or call the Idyllwild Nature Center at 951.659.3850 for more information.