With August just around the corner, it’s time to get excited for the area’s best sunflower festivals. It’s a chance for kids to wander through acres of oversized flowers with parents following them around to catch it all on their phones. But these festivals are more than irresistible photo ops, they’re all about sunflower mazes, butterfly releases and u-cut bouquets. Here’s where to get your flower fix this season.
Festivals North of Seattle
Sunflower Experience - Bob's Corn & Pumpkin Farm
If you’re looking for the biggest festival around, head north to this super popular Snohomish farm where over 15 acres of sunflowers, boasting 50 different varieties, take center stage in late summer. Families will get to take a hayride down to the fields where they can wader, take photos (hello, winter holiday cards) and even cut their own flowers to enjoy at home. Hit the Dairy Barn when you’re done to test out the new tire maze, ride the horse swings and the slides. Keep in mind that some of the farm’s most favorite activities (like the corn crib, cow train and corn maze) won’t be available just yet. Come back for the Fall Festival to enjoy them.
Good to know: Food trucks and vendors are weekends only.
Dates: Aug. 14-Sep. 17, 2021
Hours: Daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: $12.95/person on weekdays; $17.95/person on weekends; Free for kids 2 & under
Bob’s Corn & Pumpkin Farm
10917 Elliott Rd.
Snohomish, WA
360-668-2506
Event details
Berries & Blooms - Mountainview Blueberry Farm
Looking for a laid back farm where you can enjoy time outside as a family? Check out Berries & Blooms at Mountainview Blueberry Farm. Now in its third year, families are finding the pace of this outdoor adventure strikes the right key. Not only is it relaxing, it’s fruitful too. After you’ve explored the sunflower fields and played the lawn games, head to the nine-acre blueberry field to pick your fill ($3.15/lb.). Snacks will be available for purchase this year and there’s a beer and wine garden for parents too. Remember to purchase your tickets online in advance for the best pricing.
Good to know: Weekends will include a butterfly release at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Families can enjoy watching the butterflies take flight, or they can release their own ($9.95). Either way, it’s a spectacular sight!
Dates: Aug. 11-Sep. 26, 2021
Hours: Tues.-Sun., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: $17.95/person in advance online; $24.95/person at the gate; Free for kids 2 & under
Mountainview Blueberry Farm
7617 E. Lowell Larimer Rd.
Snohomish, WA
Event details
Sunflowers in Snohomish - Thomas Family Farm
Bring your kites if you’ve got them to this expansive farm in Snohomish. Families will be able to enjoy the sunflower fields, snapping pictures as they explore. Then it’s on to solve the sunflower maze and fly that kite, before hitting the beer garden, general store and kitchen up in the barn. Families who want to stick to u-cut only can purchase tickets during the weekday. These tickets don’t include the festival events, but you can still cut gorgeous blooms and take as many photos as you’d like.
Good to know: The folks at Thomas Family Farm have plans for two butterfly releases in the works. Check back for more details as they unfold.
Dates: Aug. 16-Sep. 2, 2021
Hours: Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. for u-pick sunflowers; Sat. & Sun., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. for the Sunflower Festival
Cost: $17.95/person; Free for kids 5 & under; $10/person, plus $3/bloom for u-cut
Thomas Family Farm
9010 Marsh Rd.
Snohomish, WA
Event details
Sunflower Festival at Stocker Farm
It’s early fall at Stocker Farms and that means 25 different varieties of sunflowers looming overheard. Bring the kids to cut your own oversized flowers ($3/bloom, $15/mason jar, $30/bucket), get pictures and play lawn games. When you’re done, head to Pumpkin Park where the kids can take their turn on a gigantic jumping pillow, hayrides, the corn maze and tons of other family-friendly activities. Expect fall food faves like kettle corn, donuts (word on the street is there’ll be three different kinds) and more on the weekends.
Good to know: The Sunflower Festival is scheduled for the last two weekends in September, but the folks at Stocker Farm are hoping for a third too, depending on weather and conditions.
Dates: Sep. 18-26, 2021
Hours: Sat. & Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: TBD (sign up for their newsletter to get pricing once it’s finalized)
Stocker Farms
8705 Marsh Rd.
Snohomish, WA
360-568-7391
Event details
Festivals South of Seattle
Sunflower Days at Maris Farm
Head south for a late summer frolic through seven acres and ten different varieties of towering sunflowers at Maris Farms. Now in its second year, this new tradition offers tons of fun for families with kids of all ages. In addition to wandering the fields and snapping all the pics, families can take wagon rides around the field, race farm trikes around the track, challenge themselves on the ropes course and tube slides and more. Also on the day’s activities stop by the barnyard to see the animals. Food is available on-site for purchase.
Good to know: U-cut flowers are $3 per bloom. All tickets must be purchased in advance.
Dates: Aug. 14-Sep. 19, 2021
Hours: Sat., 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Aug. 20 & 27, 4-8 p.m.
Cost: $18/adult; $16/kids (3-10); Free for kids 2 & under
Maris Farm
25001 Sumner-Buckley Hwy.
Buckley, WA
Event details
Sunflower U-Cut Festival - Sterino Farm
If a simple u-cut experience is what your family is after, wander the fields at Sterino Farms. They’ll have clippers and carts for kids to use. And when you’re done, be sure to grab some fresh produce (think berries, lettuces, corn, cabbage and more) for dinner when you’re done. A food truck is parked on-site daily.
Good to know: The Fisher Scones food truck is parked at Sterino on Saturdays (unless they have a festival to go to). Who else needs a sweet treat after all that u-cut?
Dates: Now through mid-August
Hours: Daily, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: Entrance is free; $2/stem for u-cut
Sterino Farm
6006 52nd St. E.
Puyallup, WA
253-922-8945
Online: sterinofarms.com
Sunflower Festival - Rutledge Corn Maze
The sunflower fields at Rutledge Corn Maze in Olympia were planted with photos in mind. Not only will you find viewing platforms so you can get up above the beautiful blooms for some Insta-worthy shots, but you’ll find three different fields grouped by size. The Big Field of Yellow is full of classic yellows that stand between 5- to 6-feet tall. Then there’s Field of Beauty that features sunflowers of different heights and colors. Finally there’s the Field of Giants—these flowers will tower over you. Don’t get lost! Admission includes access to the fields, one bloom, family-friendly activities and more.
Good to know: If you want to take home extra blooms, they’re $3 each.
Dates: Aug. 14, 15, 20-22, 2021
Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Cost: $16/adult in advance online; $25/adult at the gate; $10/kid (5-11) in advance online; $15/kid at the gate; Free for kids 4 & under
Rutledge Corn Maze
302 93rd Ave. S.E.
Olympia, WA
360-357-3700
Online: rutledgecornmaze.com
Good to Know:
1. Mother Nature is in charge when it comes to sunflowers. Remember that dates may change based on the weather and growing conditions, so please call ahead before heading out with your little buds.
2. Remember to dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes or boots, as sunflower fields can be muddy and uneven. And keep your Littles close by; it’s easy to get lost in these fields of giant flowers.
3. At many of these farms, furry friends are asked to stay home.
—Allison Sutcliffe
Feature image: iStock
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