MI Bucket List: Sunflower Festivals

07.23.2024 | 3 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 35 feet, 9 inches 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 have been 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.

DeBuck’s Sunflower Farm, Belleville

DeBuck’s Family 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 this sunflower festival over three weeks in July and August. The fest is open noon to 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays 10 p.m. from July 30 to August 16.

Lewis Adventure Farm Flower Mania, New Era

Lewis Adventure Farm will open their vibrant flower field on August 3, featuring an ocean of zinnias and sunflowers. Discover their new flower house and indulge a U-pick experience for the whole family. Don’t miss this colorful celebration, where the flowers are as endless as the joy they bring! Sunflower mania opens Aug. 1 and is dependent on flowers blooming and the weather.

Sunflower Days, Unionville

Sunflower Days are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday Sept. 26 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.n. Sunday, Sept. 27 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. They encourage photographers and photo enthusiasts to join in for this lovely festival.

Blake’s Sunflower Festival, Armada

Blake’s Orchard and Cider Mill will host its annual sunflower festival the weekends of Aug. 28 to 30, and Sept. 5 to Sept. 7. Stroll through the sunflowers, cut your own flowers in the fields, snap lots of photos and shop from more than 150 artisans. Admission includes free classes, speakers and demonstrations will be available on natural wellness and farming. There will be U-pick options available for sunflowers as well as wildflowers, fruits and vegetables.

Sunflower Festival at Gull Meadow Farms, Richland

Gull Meadow Farms’ Sunflower Festival is July 30 to Aug. 2, Aug. 6 to 9 and Aug. 13 to 16. Come explore their five-acre field which is home to more than two dozen different varieties of sunflowers. Each ticket includes admission to the sunflower field, one U-Cut Bloom to take home with you, and family activities at the farm, including a scenic wagon ride through the woods.

Sunflower Days at Westview Orchards & Winery, Washington Township

Sunflower Days at Westview Orchards & Winery are open early in late July, and you can pick sunflowers through August. They offer many events throughout this period including general admission to the sunflower field, sunset admission, specialty food and drinks, and butterflies and blooms weekends. Sunflower picking packages are available for purchase on site. Be sure to check their website for dates and times and other special events.

Photo credit: Getty Images

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