If you are planning to visit one or two sunflower fields in the coming weeks, you have come to the right place.
Within an hour’s drive of Wichita are four sunflower fields that are open to visitors and offer a unique experience.
At the Kansas Maze farm near Buhler, about 50 miles northwest of Wichita, the 16 acres of sunflowers are just part of the attraction. Visitors can play outdoor games like Jenga, Connect Four and beach volleyball. Kids can jump on an inflatable pillow, navigate a rope maze, ride a giant slide and more.
For fun photos and selfies, owner Tonya Martisko places several props throughout the fields. A new prop this year is a vintage piano, she said. Another new feature this year is a small field of blooming zinnias.
During the Sunflower Festival, which the farm itself calls home, special events include a trail run and walk, a market day with live music and food trucks, and painting evenings led by an instructor.
Martisko said the fields should be ready to welcome the more than 400 participants who will take part in the farm’s Sunflower Trail Run on Aug. 24, which will feature competitive and noncompetitive 5K options and a 1-mile walk/run. The first two of the farm’s seven paint nights are also scheduled for this weekend.
The festival is expected to last until mid-September.
Two of the farms — Peterson Farm Brothers’ Sunflower Trails in Lindsborg and real estate agent Diana Burress’ farm in Augusta — offer much easier, no-frills walks among the stalks. Burress’ farm does offer an added photo opportunity of a sunflower mural on a nearby silo. Both farms expect their fields to be in bloom by the last week of August.
This year, the sunflower field at Klausmeyer Farm, located about 20 miles southwest of Wichita near Clearwater, is expected to bloom just in time to be part of the farm’s pumpkin season, which kicks off Sept. 21.
Planning a visit
Keep in mind that the blooming season for Kansas sunflowers is only 10 to 14 days, so it’s a good idea to check a farm’s Facebook page, where operators typically post updates on field conditions.
Here’s more information about activities and admission if you’re planning to visit one or more of the four fields where Kansas’ state flower will be in bloom in the coming weeks. Two other farms in the area, Cedar Creek Farm in Maize and LBR Family Farm near west Wichita, had sunflower fields that were in bloom in early July.
Kansas Maze Sunflower Festivalat Gaeddert Farms 13209 E. 82nd Ave., Buhler. The fields are open now and are expected to continue blooming until about mid-September. Hours are 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Labor Day, with extended hours during special events. Regular admission is $10 per person, with free admission for children 3 and under. Admission includes one yellow sunflower to take home and access to all activities on the farm’s playground.
Pre-registration online for the August 24 Sunflower Trail event closes at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, August 23; costs are $50 for the 5K option (either a competitive run or a non-competitive run/walk) and $40 for the 1-mile run/walk. Same-day registration costs an additional $5 and is available at 7:00 a.m.
More than 100 vendors, plus food trucks and live music, are scheduled for the Sunflower Market on Saturday, August 31. Pre-purchase tickets online for the August 31 Sunflower Market to take advantage of $2 off admission. Sunflower Market VIP tickets, which cost $40, include admission, a festival T-shirt, vendor coupons, and market spending money ranging from $5 to $50.
Instructor-led painting classes featuring a sunflower scene are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday evenings from 6:30 to 8 p.m. August 24 through September 8. The cost is $25; classes are limited to 25 participants, with a minimum of four.
More information: kansasmaze.com; facebook.com/kansasmaze or 620-931-7667
Sunflower Field by Diana Burress/B. Realty, 9251 SW 115th, Augusta. The farm is located one-half mile west of SW Thunder Road. This field, which is free to visit, is expected to be ready the last week of August.
“I think this is going to be a spectacular year for sunflowers,” Burress said in a Facebook video filmed in the field over the weekend.
There is a designated parking area, as parking along the road is discouraged due to the busy road, often with large farm machinery. In addition to taking photos in the field, another photo opportunity is the sunflower mural on a nearby silo. More info: facebook.com/dianaburressrealtor
Sunflower Trails at the Heights location, Peterson Farm Brothers, near 2951 13th Ave., Lindsborg. The Peterson Farm Brothers plant their sunflower fields at their wedding and special events venue called The Heights. The venue takes its name from nearby Coronado Heights, a cliff that has been named one of the Eight Geographic Wonders of Kansas. Expected bloom dates are the last week of August through mid-September. Admission is $5 per person or $10 per family; even dogs are welcome, as long as they are on a leash. More information: petersonfarmbrothers.com/sunflower-trails and facebook.com/PetersonFarmBros
Klausmeyer Farm and Pumpkin Patch, 813 S. 119th SW, Clearwater. Dry conditions earlier this summer, along with crop planting and other agricultural commitments, led to a late planting of sunflowers at Klausmeyer Farm, said co-owner Debbie Klausmeyer.
That’s why this year, the sunflower patch has been added to the farm’s pumpkin patch season, which begins Sept. 21. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily; admission is $9 per person weekdays and $11 weekdays, with ages 2 and under free. More information: klausmeyerdairyfarms.com , facebook.com/Klausmeyerpumpkinpatch or 316-703-5391
