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; Battles Estate/Yellow House: The Hagen History Center plays host to the weeklong Girard Sunflower Festival, running August 9 – 15 in collaboration with The Wilds Sonshine Factory, which will later harvest and distill the seeds for locally-made spirits. A sea of 1.2 million blooms is ready and waiting in Girard, just south of Erie. A free Erie Philharmonic Double Quartet concert kicks things off, and members of the public can meander for photos, picnics and historical tours. There are other ticketed sunflower-themed events, too, like wine and charcuterie picnics, painting class, farm-to-table dinners and a pottery workshop. 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.
Har-Lo Farms: Check out the first annual Memory Patch Sunflower Experience at this family-owned farm in Butler. Open dates start July 24 and run through August 1 with just $5 admission and no charge for kids under 5 years of age. Take unlimited photos and pose with props available throughout the field. This local agricultural splendor is waiting for you! 505 W. Jefferson Rd., Butler; (724) 333-2214.
Renshaw Family Farms: For those in and around Pittsburgh, head to Renshaw Family Farms for Sunflower Days from July 22 through August 2. 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.
Schwirian Sunflower Farm: A sea of sunflowers that’s doubled in recent years, Schwirian is a must-visit for flower-lovers in the greater Pittsburgh area. Its Sunflower Festival opens mid-July and runs as long as there are blooms, with $5 admission, rentable golf carts, food truck days and special opportunities for pet picture-taking. Keep tabs of the goings-on on the Schwirian Sunflower Farm Facebook page. 2669 Pangurn Hollow Rd., Monongahela; (412) 445-2257.
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 at the end of August 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.
Sunflower fields and maze at the Farmer’s Dotterer
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 1 – 14, with a special Glow Night ($10) on August 14 from 9 – 11 p.m. 6658 Nittany Valley Dr., Mill Hall; no phone.
The sunflower fields at Lesher Poultry Farm
Lesher Poultry Farm: With a peak bloom expected in 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 1, 2, 8 and 9 are $19 in advance for adults and $15 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 add all-you-can-carry blooms to take home for $20. 2885 New Park Rd., New Park; (717) 382-4878.
Sunflower fields at Brown Hill Farms
Brown Hill Farms: Slated to kick off on August 1 and end around the 16th, 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 $16.95 – discounted to $9.95 during the flash sale – and about $5 more at the gate. The Sweet Corn and Sunflower Festival on August 8 combines two PA farm field superstars, and Glow Night on August 13 and 14 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 9th, with Sunflowers at Sunset ($15) offering evening views, live music and beer, wine and food options and the daytime Sunflower Festival ($13) offering pick-your-own access, 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 July 30, inviting Bucks County (and beyond!) to explore its gorgeous sunflower fields. Admission ($15.99) 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: At Linvilla Orchards, a Delco mainstay for maximalist farm fun, the annual Sunflower Festival happens on August 8. 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. Though a late April freeze derailed this year’s peach crop, look for a peaches to co-headline this festival in the future. 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.
- First photo: Bigstock
- All other photos: Courtesy of the respective farms and orchards
