Preparations are in the works for the colourful Bloom Sunflower Festival in Spallumcheen that will feature eight acres of sunflowers on a farm just north of Armstrong, the only festival of its kind in the Thompson-Okanagan.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Bloom Flower Festivals
July 12, 2023 - 6:00 AM
Preparations are in the works for the colourful Bloom Sunflower Festival in Spallumcheen that will feature eight acres of sunflowers on a farm just north of Armstrong, the only festival of its kind in the Thompson-Okanagan.
This week festival founder Alexis Szarek and her husband are planting more than 200,000 sunflower seeds of nearly 20 different varieties, according to media release from Bloom Flower Festivals issued today, July 11.
Sunflower varietals bloom in all colours “from the golden yellow many know and love to those that take guests by surprise: dark, chocolate reds, dwarf whites and strawberry lemonade.”
The festival includes much more than viewing flowers with a lot of different events are planned so far including a Sunflowers & Cider event that will feature Farmstrong Cider and a charcuterie cup from Wedge Cheesery.
FILE PHOTO
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Bloom Flower Festivals
“We know how much everyone loves Farmstrong Cider, which is just down the road, so we thought this would be a fun and refreshing new way to enjoy the sunflowers at sunset,” Szarek said in the release. “It’s just beautiful out there at that time.”
Special events that were a hit last year and continue are a Monet Meets Merlot paint nights, locals night for residents of the wider North Okanagan, yoga in the sunflowers, Family Fridays and weekday collaboration that includes a same-day voucher to visit Wild Oak Café.
The festival is dog-friendly and there will be games like mini putts and bean bag toss for families to enjoy.
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This year the festival opening dates are pushed back from August to September.
“We wanted to give families a chance to enjoy the sunflowers in the fall, when the weather is just a little cooler for people and after the busyness of back to school,” Szarek said.
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Alexis Szarek is a third-generation tulip farmer who hosted the Abbotsford Tulip Festival for four years. She and her family moved the North Okanagan in 2020 where they create and host both the Bloom Tulip Flower Festival and Bloom Sunflower Festival.
The festival runs September 21 to October 1 at 5050 Knob Hill Road, Spallumcheen.
Go here for more information or to purchase tickets.
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