During the long, hot days of summer in Pennsylvania, a bright symbol of joy and resilience grows slowly and steadily from the earth. Sunflowers, with their bright, happy faces and towering presence, reach full bloom in the later half of the season, offering spectacular vistas of deep golden yellow. Many farms plant these beauties by the acre to offer an immersive, magnificent backdrops for gazing, gathering, photo-ops and flower picking.
We’ve scoured the Commonwealth for spectacular sunflower fields and festivals happening near you. Check out this map and read about each event below!
Hagen History Center via the Yellow House: Through a partnership between Hagen History Center and Wilds Sonshine Factory, a sea of 1.2 million blooms is ready and waiting in Girard, just south of Erie. Book a sunflower picnic ($85 per couple) with local wine and charcuterie or reserve your spot at a sunflower dinner for a sunflower-themed, multi-course meal ($120 per person) with sunflower seed-crusted goat cheese medallions, a chilled sunflower and sweet corn bisque and roasted chicken with a rich sunflower Romesco sauce between August 4th and 9th. This sunflower field is one of the largest in the region and a true sight to behold. Yellow House, 436 Walnut St., Girard; (814) 454-1813.
Guests at Fair Haven Farms
Fair Haven Farms: The Sunflower Festival at Fair Haven Farms is two days of immersive farm fun in Grove City on August 23 and 24. There are food trucks, music, and artisan vendors to peruse, or hop on a hayride to really take in the sights. It’s family-friendly with well-behaved dogs permitted. Tickets are $10 and sunflowers are just $2 per stem. 206 Lee Rd., Grove City; (412) 848-3501.
Renshaw Family Farms: For those in and around Pittsburgh, head to Renshaw Family Farms for Sunflower Days from July 25 through August 10. It’s $10 per car load of people, with plenty of food and photo-ops waiting. Sunflowers heads are available to pick and purchase, and the country store will be stocked with sunflower swag and tasty farm goods. You can nosh on hot dogs, nachos and meatball sandwiches with ice cream sundaes, floats and scoops for dessert. Follow its Facebook page for weather-related updates. 318 Ford City Rd., Freeport; (724) 294-0061.
Wilds Sonshine Factory: This special destination in the Pennsylvania Wilds really knows how to celebrate sunflowers. Wilds Sonshine Factory produces the only sunflower spirits in the world by distilling sunflower seeds a trademarked product that’s added distinction to the region. Its Sunflower Festival is a three-day, over-the-top event with two stages of live music, food trucks, children’s activities and a car/bike show. While sunflowers are at the festival’s heart, the event does not include sunflower field access, so photogs and selfie-seekers might want to look elsewhere for a yellow-dotted panorama. 3480 Route 6 West, Kane; (814) 837-8083.
The Farmer’s Dotterer: This central PA Sunflower Maze offers some of the best sunflower views in the state. For $7 a person, wander through the massive maze and get a little lost among the blooms. There are farm-fresh treats and refreshments and fun activities for the kids. The maze is open all day from August 22 – September 6, with a special Glow Night ($10) on August 29 from 9 – 11 p.m. 6658 Nittany Valley Dr., Mill Hall; no phone.
Young guests in the Oregon Dairy Farmstead sunflower patch
Oregon Dairy Farmstead: The seasonal Sunflower Festival is just one of many eco-tourism opportunities at Oregon Dairy, a third generation farm in Lititz. Held from August 16 – 24 in collaboration with Artisan Mill Co., the festival features sunflower patches to wander and 150+ artisanal vendors, including Old Road Pretzels, PA Hickory Syrup and Wyndridge Farm Ciders. Tickets are just $3 at the gate and children 12 and under are free. You can purchase flowers by the bloom, half-dozen, milk can or bucket for additional costs. 2900 Oregon Pike, Lititz; (717) 659-2856.
Lesher Poultry Farm: With a peak bloom expected in early September and the perpetually rotating field location TBD, the Lesher Poultry Farm sunflower watch builds anticipation in south central PA. Once they pop, the sunflower fields are jaw-dropping, nearly mythic in proportion. And, believe it or not, they’re free to visit. Once the location is announced, drive by and snap your pics! The Lesher family often offers a small farm stand with items like sunflower oil, dish towels, baked goods and handmade buttons. If you’d like to pick sunflowers, it’s $1 per stem – byo scissors and pay with cash in the designated payment boxes. 1153 Swamp Fox Rd., Chambersburg; (717) 375-2274.
Maple Lawn Farms: Check out the breathtaking sunflower fields of Maple Lawn Farms, which include over 40 varieties of sunflowers across eight acres. General admission tickets to MLF’s Sunflower Festival on August 9 and 10 are $16 in advance for adults and $13 for kids 12 and under and include a wagon ride to the field and a single bloom of your choosing. Higher-priced tickets get you a mason jar filled with sunflowers and a lemonade or glass of wine. Guests can also opt for a quieter experience on Friday, August 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., wandering the fields without the buzz of live music and crowds. 2885 New Park Rd., New Park; (717) 382-4878.
Sunflower fields at Brown Hill Farms
Brown Hill Farms: Slated to kick off on August 2 and end around the 17th, sunflower season at Brown Hill Farms offers 15+ acres of sunflower splendor to explore. Its cutting field boasts 20 varieties of sunflower for creating a magnificent bouquet. Kids will love greeting the farm animals and all ages will enjoy farm-fresh goodies. Pre-ordered tickets are $9.95 for weekdays and $11.95 on weekends, and about $5 more at the gate. The Sweet Corn and Sunflower Festival on August 9 and 10 combines two PA farm field superstars, and Glow Night on August 15 and 16 invites you to hang out after sunset. 405 W. Avery Station Rd., Tunkhannock; (570) 241-8430.
Yenser’s Tree Farm: Sunflower festivities kick off on August 1 and wrap up on the 10th, with Sunflowers at Sunset ($15) offering evening views, live music and beer, wine and food options and the daytime Sunflower Festival ($12) offering pick-your-own access at $1.50 per sunflower, a sunflower maze and variety of kid-friendly activities plus access to food and craft vendors. It’s no wonder this sunflower farm is a beloved Lehigh Valley tradition for so many. 1910 Mahoning Dr. E., Lehighton; (570) 386-2073.
Guests enjoying Sunflower Days at Hellerick’s Adventure Farm
Hellerick’s Adventure Farm: Sunflower days at Hellerick’s start on August 8, inviting Bucks County (and beyond!) to explore its gorgeous sunflower fields. Admission ($14.99) gets all-day field access, a sunflower and the option to check out the 40+ farm activities on the premises. The sunflower varieties change as new ones replace wilting blooms over the short season, all offering gorgeous photo-ops. 5500 Easton Rd., Doylestown; (215) 766-8388.
Linvilla Orchards: What duo could be sweeter than peaches and sunflowers? At Linvilla Orchards, a Delco mainstay for maximalist farm fun, the Peach & Sunflower Festival happens on August 9 (rain date August 10). With a Pick-Your-Own ticket ($11), hitch a hayride to the fields and fill an empty container with one or both. After harvesting your golden crops, hang out at the orchard center, which is home to a small zoo, playgrounds and a massive farm market complete with a bakery and grill. 137 W. Knowlton Rd., Media; (610) 876-7116.
What’s your favorite sunflower field or festival in PA? We’d love to hear about it. Comment below or join the conversation on the PA Eats Facebook and Instagram pages.
- Photos: Courtesy of the respective farms and orchards
