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Hailey Druek and Alyssa Romano, both of East Quogue, show off flower crowns made at the Dandelion Festival. (Credit: Vera Chinese)

The dandelion gets a bad wrap. The little yellow flowers that pop up the instant the weather turns nice are typically labeled a nuisance weed by gardeners with aspirations of a perfect lawn.

But hold off on the Roundup and you’ll come to find there’s power in the plant with not-so conventional beauty. The bright, bushy-topped wildflowers are a magnet for pollinators and its antioxidants and vitamins have been linked to a number of health benefits, from improving acne to aiding weight loss.

KK’s The Farm in Southold is celebrating all the plant has to offer during the third annual Dandelion Festival next Sunday, April 29.

“We started the Dandelion Festival to raise awareness,” said event organizer and farm owner Ira Haspel. “The dandelion is an early food source for bees and other pollinators. We have to stop spraying harmful chemicals on them, this will help in the reduction of toxic chemicals entering our soil, aquifer, estuaries and bays.”

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Maybe it’s time to start thinking about dandelions in a different way. More: http://bit.ly/2pXoNXQ

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The family-friendly festival drew about 400 people in its first year with educational speakers, face painting and food made from dandelion for purchase. This year’s event features all those favorites and more, including spiritual workshops like white light mediation.

Additionally, there will be dandelion-themed poetry and lectures for children about the importance of chemical-free, biodynamic farming. Also in attendance will be representatives from the Save the SoundGroup for the East End, restaurants and farmers.

The festival runs from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. and is free to attend. A rain date is scheduled for Sunday, May 6.

KK’s The Farm is located at 59945 Main Road in Southold. For more information call (631) 765-2075 or visit kkthefarm.com.

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