A landmark early-fall festival has successfully put down roots in Agassiz-Harrison.
The inaugural Harrison Sunflower Festival has drawn in visitors from around the world, said farmer Kate Onos-Gilbert. Thus far, the farm has hosted guests from as far away as South Korea and other countries in west Asia.
The Onos-Gilbert family has hosted The Tulips of the Valley Festival since 2006, marking the first festival of its kind in B.C. The Tulip Festival moved on to Chilliwack after 10 years in Agassiz and the Chilliwack Sunflower Festival started in 2018. Since the Onos-Gilbert family acquired land in the Agassiz area, Kate said the Harrison Sunflower Festival was a bit like coming home.
“Everyone is loving it here,” Onos-Gilbert told The Observer. “People are really liking this locaiton, they’re loving the mountains. And it just feels like a nice, peaceful, beautiful location.”
The farm is quiet enough to hear the low hum of bees going from flower to flower. The farm boasts 45 varieties of sunflowers spanning 20 acres as well as other summer flowers and a variety of photo opportunites and backdrops throughout. There is a u-pick field available for guests to create their own bouquets.
The Sunflower Festival will run daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Sept. 17. Tickets are $15 per person on weekdays and $20 on weekends.
Following the Sunflower Festival, the farm will host the first annual Harrison Pumpkin Festival; details will be announced at a later date.