Imagine a field of sunshine, as far as the eye can see. There is only yellow, and it seems to stretch for miles. Actually, it’s only five acres of sunshine, but the image in your mind’s eye is an accurate depiction of what greets you at the Chilliwack Sunflower Festival.
With 17 different varieties of flowers to see, attendees are sure to find a type that fits their fancy. Whether it’s 12 feet tall, or an orange tinge to the petals, there are plenty of options to fulfill any sunflower dream, even if that dream is seeing the sun rise over its favourite flower, watching as the face of the bloom turns to greet its namesake. Tickets are available for people to experience this wonder, and partake in the beautiful scene.
The festival creators clearly know the importance of having a strong selfie game, and so various photo spots are uniquely crafted so your amature iPhone shot looks quality. Take a photo with a bike, on a swing, by a windmill, or really, with a giant sunflower since that’s the reason for the whole festival in the first place.
If you don’t want to be the selfie master, feel free to go eat some ice cream, and play some yard games. Challenge friends and family, and hope that the sunshine helps placate the obnoxiously competitive side that comes out of you when playing games with loved ones. Choose between Yardzee, giant checkers, tic-tac-toe, and others to decide which game piece will cause the least damage when thrown in frustration because your lucky sister beat you again.
The U-pick fields are now open as well, and those who long to adorn their homes with the happy flowers can go and choose the most perfect blooms to accent their fall-themed kitchens. Or as a student, more realistically, brighten up the dull basement suite you currently call home.
If by chance one happens to have a four-legged friend, they are welcome to accompany you on your visit. But preferably a dog; a rabbit on a leash might be difficult to keep track of among the tall stalks of these flowers. Drinking stations are available, as well as equipment to take care of any accidents on the other end.
From the creators of the Chilliwack Tulip Festival that beckons many of us back among the bulbs, the kickoff season of the sunflower has arrived, and it doesn’t disappoint. Just don’t look too closely at the flowers, because honestly, they look kind of weird at that angle, and you don’t need to have a sneezing fit while trying to take that #goals selfie.
Be sure to wear sturdy boots, because there is some mud. As members of the Fraser Valley, this shouldn’t be a revelation as it rains 10 months of the year here, and most of us live close enough to farm country to not traipse about in our fanciest shoes.
The event runs until Sept. 16, and tickets are available online.
Image: Jen Klassen/The Cascade
