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Upcoming Events on the Farm

Sunflower Festival at Alvis Farms

Sunflowers will be in peak bloom the end of July and first half of August and the first-ever “Sunflower Festival at Alvis Farms” is just around the corner. We are hosting this event to share the beauty of the sunflowers with the community, to educate the community about our agricultural roots, as well as to diversify our family farm’s revenue and sustainability for future farming. A portion of the proceeds will also be donated to the Goochland FFA chapter and the Goochland 4-H will be using this event as an opportunity to fundraise.

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With an increase in alternative food choices, a depressed milk price, and high input costs, family farms across the nation are going out of business at a record rate. We are proud to have been a working dairy farm in Goochland since 1965, and have been farming the land for even longer. Community outreach, and education, is something we strive to do as often as possible. We’re excited to be hosting this Sunflower Festival, which will help us continue to farm and be an active part of keeping Goochland rural.

Come ready to partake in the beauty and uplifting spirit of 50 acres of sunflowers! There will be family friendly activities including a sunflower maze! Take a rest while listening to local musicians and eating/drinking some yummy grub! Visit vendors for great gifts and more! And don't worry, there are plenty of photo opportunities and even sunflowers to purchase and bring home with you!

 

This is an outside festival on a farm. Please dress appropriately.

*No outside food or drinks. Bring a chair, dogs on leash allowed.*

Festival Dates ANNOUNCED!!!

Saturdays (10am - 5pm) & Sundays (11am - 5pm)

July 27 & 28 // August 3 & 4

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TICKETS

$5/person

5 & under free

Professional Photographers: $30

Directions

The festival will take place 0.5mile west of 440 Three Chopt Road, Manakin-Sabot, VA 23103 (10 minutes west of Short Pump off of Broad Street (Rt. 250)).

Tickets available at event as well. Cash or card

ATTENTION: Please be aware our closest sunflowers have reached maturity. There are prettier flowers within our 50 acres if you follow our path and are able to walk.

There will be plenty of fun for all!

Photographer Policy

Sunflowers are extremely popular photography backdrops and props. We are excited to offer our family farm's sunflower fields as a location for photographers to utilize this summer! We love having friends and family out to visit, and we always enjoy seeing our farm featured in your beautiful photos! We are a working farm and we ask that you respect this private property. If you plan to utilize our sunflower fields we ask that you follow our guidelines below. 

 

Professional and novice photographers and their clients are permitted under the following guidelines:

  1. Photographers are welcome to take photos (no drones permitted) in the sunflower fields during regular open hours (Sat: 10am - 5pm and Sun: 11am - 5pm) during the the two weekends the event will run. The cost of entry for photographers is  $30/day. Clients are responsible for paying for their entry of $5/person. No one is allowed on property after event hours without a confirmed scheduled private shoot appointment (see below). When we are not open to the public, you may only enter with special permission.

  2. Photography is allowed only in areas of the sunflower fields that are open to the public. You must check in with the manager on duty to let us know you are on site and to find out what areas you may enter. You must be finished by our closing time (unless special arrangements have been made).

  3. If you wish to enter the sunflower fields before or after event days/hours, you must make a scheduled private shoot appointment and have it confirmed in advance. We will attempt to schedule staff to be on-site. If we can staff it, the charge is $65 per hour or $150 per day, payable on site by cash, check or card. If no staffing can be arranged, we will not be able to grant the appointment.

  4. All farm policies must be followed. You must remain in designated open areas, and pay for any flowers you pick; however, picking is not encouraged. Please do not climb trees, flatten flowers, litter, or act in any unsafe manner. Please be respectful and aware of other people and our flowers. We are a family farm, appropriate attire must be worn at all times. We allow a camera only. No lighting, ladders, props, etc. Stay on the paths. No picture is worth damaging the field for others. Stay off all farm equipment including and not limited to tractors, etc. Do not enter neighboring fields. Do not open any gates. Do not climb on fences. Park in designated parking area only. Clients/models must be fully and appropriately clothed (i.e., no nudity, swimsuits, lingerie, etc.) Clients/models must arrive fully prepared, including hair, makeup, and styling. No dressing rooms or storage areas will be provided and restrooms may not be open. Electrical power is not available. No alcoholic beverages may be brought onto the premises. No smoking will be permitted on the premises. Photography sessions may not disrupt visitor access, employee access, or special events. We expect all visitors to be respectful of our farm, our animals and our fields at all times. Anyone not abiding by any portion of this policy will be asked to leave the farm immediately. Our policies are subject to change without notice. 

  5. We welcome canvas artists or landscape artists to use the fields. We request that you follow the same General Photography Guidelines above.

  6. We ask that you provide us with quality photos that we could use for marketing purposes, with permissions.

  7. If you are taking photography/videography for advertising or mass media purposes, please contact us in advance; we are happy to work with you if we are able. A different fee schedule may apply.

  8. No drone/aerial photography is permitted at any time without permission from management.

  9. If you are on our property without permission during non-event hours, you are trespassing. We do prosecute. This is a working family farm and our crops are our livelihood. Alvis Farms reserves the right to refuse admittance for photography or videography and/or change its photo policy without advanced notice. Some areas of the farm may not be available the day of your shoot due to Alvis Farms programming, events or unforeseen circumstances.

  10. All photographers agree to hold harmless Alvis Farms and their agents, staff and family from any injury while on the property.

 

Please respect our private property, help us keep the insurance lady happy, and enjoy your photos and memories by following our guidelines!

Seeking Sponsors

Please fill out the sponsor information at the link below. Check out of our sponsor request letter too!

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Interested in being a Vendor?

Ready to get in front of your customers while enjoying the beautiful backdrop of a sunflower field? Please fill out the vendor application at the link below and we will get back with you to confirm your acceptance. 

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Photographers Welcome

Sunflowers make an amazing natural prop or backdrop! Photographers are welcome to attend the festival for $30/day.

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Interested in not fighting the crowds? Fill out our application at the link below for private options not during the festival times.

Calling All Musicians

We are excited to offer the opportunity for musicians to play at our first ever Sunflower Festival! Music is the perfect backdrop to sunflowers! 

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Please fill out the application at the link below. We will get back with you to confirm your acceptance.

Although our field does not have an address you can try using this one: 1080 Seay Road, Manakin-Sabot, VA 23103

The event will take place 0.5mile east of Shallow Well Road on Seay Road in Manakin-Sabot, VA 23103 (10 minutes west of Short Pump off of Broad Street Road (Rt. 250)).

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From EAST - Richmond/Short Pump:

Going west on I-64 take exit 173 Rockville/Manakin. Turn left off the exit onto Ashland Road (Rt 623) and continue for 1.2 miles. Turn right at the stop light onto Broad Street Road (US 250 W) and continue for 4.8 miles. Turn right onto Shallow Well Road (Rt 654) for 0.8 miles. Turn right onto Seay Road (Rt 626) and the event will be on your left.

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From WEST - Charlottesville: 

Going east on I-64 take exit 167 Oilville. Turn left off the exit onto Oilville Road (Rt 617) and continue straight for 1.4 miles. Turn right onto Shallow Well Road (Rt 654) for 0.7 miles. Turn left onto Seay Road (Rt 626) and the event will be on your left.

Choose a fun pic of your dog or get them ready to pose and snap away!

How it works: 

  • Complete registration (including uploading a picture of your dog) by Wednesday, September 2

  • Follow link on completion page to pay your $5 entry fee

  • Folks will be able to vote via our website (link will be sent to you to promote) starting Friday, September 4 through Saturday, September 12 online and at the Community Flea Market Yard Sale.

  • 1 vote = $1, so the more money spent the more votes your dog will get. All proceeds from this contest will be going to support Goochland teachers! Voting closes at 9pm on Saturday, September 12.

  • The winner will be announced Monday, September 14 via our Facebook page. The winner will be notified via email/phone with details about prize. 

Thank you for sharing your dog with us and supporting our Goochland teachers!

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