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Experience dazzling fields of yellow, orange and red sunflowers at the inaugural Chilliwack Sunflower Festival opening on August 22.
The Chilliwack Sunflower Festival is being organized by the creators of Tulips of the Valley.
"Sunflowers symbolize happiness, fun and summer. There's nothing better than a bright yellow sunflower to meet you when you go into a garden," says festival co-founder Kate Onos-Gilbert.
The festival includes over a dozen varieties of peak-season sunflowers from two-foot Dwarf Sunspots to 12-foot Mammoth Grey Stripes, which are so large they can offer shade on those particularly warm summer days.
Onos-Gilbert says they began planting the giant sunflowers in mid-May because they take between 80 and 100 days to grow to their full height. The rest of the fields were planted in mid-June because the smaller species will reach their full height after 60 days.
One of the first blooms Photo Chilliwack Sunflower Festival
There will be paths for visitors to walk along to avoid damaging the plants, which are being grown specifically for the event. Organizers are prepared for crowds; unlike a sunflower farm in Ontario, which became overrun with selfie-hunting tourists this summer and was forced to restrict access to the public to preserve their crops.
Guests can pick their own Sunrich Orange sunflowers or pick up tulip and daffodil bulbs to take home.
A variety of games for everyone to play will be available on the grounds including Yardzee, bolaball, “giant” Jenga, tic-tac-toe and checkers.
There is a giant yardstick where people can stand beside and measure their height against the sunflowers plus other photo opportunities including a windmill, vintage bicycle and swing sets.
The Rotary Club of Chilliwack Fraser train will offer by-donation rides through the fields and food trucks will be available on weekends.
On-leash pets are welcome and complimentary pick-up bags will be available.
The Chilliwack Sunflower Festival is located at 41310 Yale Road and ticket prices vary dependent on date and time. Children under five are free and check out their website for more details.
The festival runs everyday from August 22 through September 16 Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to sunset and Friday to Sunday from 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.
