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FESTIVAL Fri - Sun, July 10 -12 (9am-8pm

Due to the outpouring of interest, we have decided to open our sunflower fields past our original open dates despite our blooms fading, the closest ones are past their peak. There are still plenty of picture opportunities and we are thrilled we can open our farm up to the community during this time to make some memories and bring a smile to everyone's face. More details to come!

Directions

*NOTE our location has changed from 2019's festival!

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

The festival 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)).

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 festival will be on your left.

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 festival will be on your left.

TICKETS

$5/person

5 & under free

Tickets available at event as well. Cash or card.

DID YOU MISS GETTING A SHIRT THIS YEAR!?!

NO WORRIES! We are placing one last order, so get your shirts selected by Wednesday, July 22! All shirts will be shipped, shipping is included at checkout. 

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2020

Sunflower

Festival

Sunflower Festival at Alvis Farms

Sunflowers will be in peak bloom mid-July and we are excited to welcome folks out for some fresh air for our 2nd Annual “Sunflower Festival at Alvis Farms"! 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. We are thankful for the community's support and are so excited to offer this opportunity for families to enjoy our sunflowers! A portion of the proceeds will be donated back to various Goochland community groups just as we did last year!

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! This year's festival will look a little different because of restrictions and taking precautions during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. Don't worry though, there will be no shortage of views! Enjoy a sunflower maze, eating/drinking some yummy grub, visit vendors for great gifts and even a new Pick Your Own Patch! And don't worry, there are plenty of photo opportunities and even sunflowers pre-cut to purchase and bring home with you!

 

This is an outside festival on a farm. Please dress appropriately. Closed toe shoes are strongly encouraged.

*No outside food or drinks (2 unopened water bottles are allowed). While dogs are allowed (on leashes), please use your best judgement due to the excessive heat.*

Festival Dates ANNOUNCED!!!

Friday, Saturday & Sunday (9am - 8pm)

// July 10 - 12 //

Non-Festival Hours - OPEN to the PUBLIC

Monday - Thursday

Mornings: (8am - 10am) --- & --- Evenings: (5pm - 8pm)

// July 13 - 16 //

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TICKETS

$5/person

5 & under free

Tickets available at event as well. Cash or card.

New This Year!

  • Pick Your Own (Sunflower) Patch 

    • *Bring your own ​scissors or pruning sheers*

  • Professional Photographers will be onsite

  • 2 unopened water bottles allowed per visitor

Directions

*NOTE our location has changed from 2019's festival!

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

The festival 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)).

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 festival will be on your left.

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 festival will be on your left.

Seeking Sponsors

We don't feel comfortable asking folks to sponsor this year during the pandemic, but greatly appreciate your support if you are interested in sponsoring, just reach out! 

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. 

 

*New this year, we welcome food trucks/vendors to set up during our open hours Monday - Thursday, click the 'Weekday Food Vendor Application' button below to fill out an application!

Photographers Welcome

Sunflowers make an amazing natural prop or backdrop! Photographers are welcome to attend the festival for $5/day.

Interested in holding mini-sessions during the festival or open week hours? Fill out our application at the link below.

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 (Fri, Sat, & Sun: 9am - 8pm OR Mon - Thurs: 8am - 10am & 5pm - 8pm) during the dates the event will run. The cost of entry for photographers is  $5/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, 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 as we would like to also support your business and highlight your work as well.

  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!

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