Michigan Bucket List: Sunflower Festivals
Zhane Coleman
| 4 min read
In Michigan, sunflowers bloom at the beginning of July and finish around October, which means you’ve got a couple months to cross a visit off your bucket list.
Sunflowers typically grow between five to 12 feet tall. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the tallest sunflower was 30 feet tall. Sunflowers are native to North America. Historical evidence suggests that the plant was cultivated by Native Americans as early as 3000 B.C. In fact, some archaeologists believe that sunflowers may were domesticated before corn.
Michigan has a plethora of sunflower farms scattered across the state. Here are some of the farms that are hosting sunflower festivals this summer and fall.
Sunflower festivals in 2022
- DeBuck’s Sunflower Farm hosts 15 acres of sunflowers where you can pick your own, as well as enjoy family fun attractions and food and drinks. The farm offers three weekends to visit from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Aug. 20 and 21, Aug. 27 and 28, and Sept. 3 and 4. Tickets are available online.
- Lewis Farms will host its second annual Sunflower Festival running Saturdays and Sundays September 3 – 24 and Labor Day (Monday September 5). Here you will find a colorful assortment of sunflowers that offer great photo ops. Lewis Farms offers a U-pick bouquet that allows you to curate your own colorful bouquet and vases will be available for purchase. This sunflower festival is a great fall family outing.
- Sunflower Days takes place September 25 and 26 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Kohl Farms. The event will offer U-pick options by the stem and by the bucket. There will also be pre-picked sunflower bundles available for purchase. Enjoy live music while you frolic through the sunflower field and ring in fall.
- Blake’s Orchard and Cider Mill will host its annual sunflower festival Sept. 3 – 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Stroll through the sunflowers, cut your own flowers in the fields, snap lots of photos and shop from more than 100 artisans. Free classes, speakers and demonstrations will be available on natural wellness, aromatherapy, farming, gardening and local honey. Children ages 10 and under get in free.
- Frankenmuth Flower Festival will take place August 5 – 7 at Grandpa Tiny’s Farm. Grandpa Tiny’s Farm is home to 25 acres of sunflowers. The festival allows each guest to pick and take home one sunflower. You’ll also be able to shop unique, flower themed vendors at the festival through the craft and artisan showcase.
- Gull Meadow Farms’ Sunflower Festival takes place July 23 – 24, July 29 – 31, August 5 – 7, and August 12 –14* (*crop dependent). Come explore their five-acre field which is home to more than 35 different types of sunflowers. The festival will offer more than 15 different photo spots, one U-cut bloom to take home with you, family activity areas, a scenic wagon ride and a petting farm. It’s guaranteed fun for the whole family! Visit the event’s official site for more information and for tickets
- Zilke Sunflower Festival will take place August 8-28 at Zilke Vegetable Farm. Come explore this sunflower field, it’s perfect for photo ops! Zilke’s is not a U-pick sunflower farm. However, sunflowers will be available for purchase at the event.
- Sunflower Days at Westview Orchards & Winery is open the month of August. They offer many events throughout the month including general admission to the sunflower field, sunset admission, and butterflies and blooms weekend. Sunflower picking packages are available for purchase on site. Be sure to check their website for dates and times and other special events.
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Photo credit: IG Page: ash_monique12, Ashley McCloud
