The Edwards Farm Store, located on the 9th Line of Innisfil, has been open since 1994.
Rosemary Edwards says the store sells “our own beef, our own chicken and eggs and turkeys for Thanksgiving and Christmas.”
But it also has a stellar reputation among bird-lovers for its high-quality birdseed - including sunflower seeds - grown on the Edwards' farms.
“They’ve been planting sunflowers for about 25 years,” said store manager Kathy Macklin.
Sunflower seed is a favourite food of a long list of birds, including finches, chickadees, cardinals and Grosbeaks.
The Edwards family discovered that Sunflowers are also a favourite of passing motorists, who have been known to stop their cars along the roadside to snap photos of the vast fields of golden flowers.
The problem is, parking along the road can be dangerous and the fields of sunflowers move each year as the family rotates their crops.
For the past three years, the Edwards Farm Store has taken a different approach: When the year’s sunflower crop is in full bloom, a sign at the roadside announces the arrival of the Sunflower Celebration.
Tourists and passing motorists can come in and park, for a donation of $20 per vehicle, then walk to the sunflower fields, to pose for pictures amidst the spectacular blooms.
Local vendors have been invited to be part of the celebration, said Macklin.
The store also hosts a barbecue and sells water, juice and ice cream to add to the celebration.
This Saturday was busy, as a steady stream of visitors stopped by with their cameras to snap selfies and pose with flowers – but those who missed the Sunflower Celebration needn't worry.
“We’re going to be doing it again next Saturday,” Macklin said, when the fields should be even more spectacular.
The Edwards Farm Store is located at 1574 Line 9 of Innisfil. For information all 705-436-2749 or see Edwards-Farm-Store on facebook.com.
