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Sunflowers have always been showstoppers. Synonymous with happiness, their yellow faces are a delightfully cheery presence to those who gaze upon them. And fields full of them? Well that’s akin to heaven, and we happen to have a sunflower destination all our own in Virginia’s Blue Ridge.
Beaver Dam Farm is a 1920s farm in Buchanan, Virginia. Since 2016 the farmers have graciously opened their 20-acre black oil sunflower fields at the end of each summer for Sunflower Festival weekends.
A stunning focal point for landscape photographers and a breathtaking backdrop for portrait photographers, a sunflower field seems to bring out the shutterbug in us all. But don’t stop at just the click of your camera app; there’s much to see, do, and experience at the Beaver Dam Sunflower Festival.
Festival Details
2020 Beaver Dam Farm Sunflower Festival
Dates: September 12-13 & 19-20
Times: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. | Each Day
Note: Special Events & Activities on Other Dates
Tickets: Purchase Online >
Prices: Tickets online are $6 each for ages 3 and up. There will be a limited number of $5 cash tickets at the door for ages 3 and up.
UPDATE - NEW WEEKDAY EVENING HOURS: The festival has added special evening hours for specific weekdays to provide additional opportunities to see the flowers. The evening hours will be from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Monday (9/14), Wednesday (9/16), and Thursday (9/17) and admission will be $5 at the gate. A limited number of vendors will be set up and there are no hay rides. All pets are prohibited other than leashed service dogs.
Location: Beaver Dam Farm
170 Wheatland Road
Buchanan, VA 24066
Beaver Dam Farm Website
Facebook | Instagram
There are no refunds or re-entry for the festival. Dogs and drones are prohibited. Online leashed service dogs with a distinguished vest or card may enter.
COVID-19 Safety Procedures & Protocols
Due to the impact of COVID-19 and in accordance with guidelines from the CDC and public health officials, this year's festival will include many new operating procedures and safety protocols to help ensure a safe, healthy experience. Please keep the following information in mind:
- Tickets to this year's event will be sold online. A limited number of cash tickets will be available at the entrance on a first-come, first-served basis. As one party leaves, another will be allowed to enter. Purchase tickets online >
- Tickets will provide a 2-hour admission to the festival, with the following time slots: 9:00 - 11:00 a.m., 11:15 - 1:15 p.m., 1:30 - 3:30 p.m., & 3:45 - 5:45 p.m. If you wish to stay longer, you may purchase back-to-back time slots. There will be no refunds and no re-entry.
- No one with fever or symptoms of COVID-19, or known exposure to COVID-19 in the previous 14 days, is allowed on the property.
- Maintain 6 feet of social distancing.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, discard the used tissue in the trash, and sanitize your hands.
- Use hand sanitizer after touching objects.
- Wear a face covering of your mouth and nose when in close contact with others, including when waiting in lines
What to Expect
Beaver Dam Farm will host the Sunflower Festival September 12-13 and 19-20 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. People come from hundreds of miles around to mingle with these beauties, but there are also special events and activities during the non-festival days (the weekdays) to better accommodate some folks.
Offered twice is Sunflowers at Sunset, a “dinner in the field” experience whereby attendees dine by candlelight under a tent in the sunflower field. Meander the field 30 minutes prior to the 6:00 p.m. dinner and then settle in for a four-course delight. Tickets for both nights are limited to 40 guests in order to allow for proper social distancing.
Dinner Reservations: Tuesday Night (9/15) | Friday Night (9/18)
You can also participate in fun activities while surrounded by the sunflowers, including two sessions of yoga (one with goats!) and a paint night! Spaces are limited and advance registration is required.
- Goat Yoga - Monday, 9/14 - 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
- Paint Night in the Sunflowers - Wednesday, 9/16 - 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
- Sunset Yoga - Thursday, 9/17 - 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
More than 45 arts and crafts vendors bring their wares to the field each year, including many from all over Virginia and some from out of state! You’ll find so many sunflower themed items and artisan wares available for purchase, from jewelry and paintings to handmade wooden toys and furniture.
More than 16 food vendors attend the festival as well. With old-fashioned ice cream, wood-fired pizza, wonderful BBQ, donuts, kettle corn, and even Chick-fil-A, you won’t go hungry.
Betcha Didn’t Know
You can plant your own plot of Beaver Dam Farm sunflowers or buy a 20lb. bag of their seed from nearby Ikenberry Orchard in Daleville for your birdfeeder.
Beaver Dam Farm Sunflowers - Online Store >
Photography
As mentioned above, sunflowers beg to be photographed and many people want to be photographed among them. However, spending too much time or setting up a styled shoot may detract from the experiences of others who attend the festival. Photographers who would like to host a photo shoot in the sunflower field should email Candace Monaghan at BeaverDamSunflowers@gmail.com for additional details and to book a spot. There are half and full day options available.
Also, don’t forget to take a photo with the #Lovework and share it via your preferred social media platform. Tagging @visitvbr is also highly encouraged. :)
Quick Tips
- Tickets for this year's event are being sold online. Purchase tickets >
- Leashed service dogs are permitted; all others are not.
- The farm is forced to close if there is heavy rain. It will remain open with light showers.
- Bug repellent is not a bad idea.
- Parking is free; handicap spaces are available.
- Port-a-johns and handwashing stations are available.
- Flower stems are available to cut from a selected patch and can be purchased for $2 each.
- Check out the FAQs page on the Beaver Dam Farm website to learn more >
Nearby Fun
Turn your visit to the Beaver Dam Farm Sunflower Festival into an entire fun weekend in Botetourt County in Virginia's Blue Ridge! Located in the nearby Town of Buchanan is an adorable main street, with a classic soda fountain (Buchanan Fountain & Grille), charming Buchanan Theatre, Twin River Outfitters to help you get on the Upper James River Water Trail, great local shops, and its iconic Swinging Bridge. Check out our Botetourt County section to learn more about ways you can enjoy this unique part of Virginia's Blue Ridge.
Special thanks to Jenny Marie's Photographie for providing many of the photos in this post.
