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Maan Farms Sunflower Festival

Maan Farms Sunflower Festival

Maan Farms has a produce store, kids’ play areas, animals, and fields of fruits and vegetables. It is also home to the Abbotsford Sunflower Festival.

The agricultural attraction hosts a pumpkin patch in the fall, as well as other seasonal events throughout the year (including activities at Easter and on Mother’s Day).

In 2022 the Sunflower Festival at Maan Farms will likely run in September, and in a different format than usual. The field of sunflowers probably won’t be as huge as it normally is. Exact details about this year’s event, however, are to be confirmed.

 

The Abbotsford Sunflower Festival

The Sunflower Festival at Maan Farms features a field full of beautiful sunflowers. There is more to the family-friendly event than just flowers though. Included with the price of admission is access to the venue’s corn maze and Barnyard Adventureland (which features farm animals and a wide range of kids’ play structures).

If you like flowers, and especially if you have young children, a trip out to the Sunflower Festival at Maan Farms is highly recommended. While you’re out there, be sure to pick up some of their fresh produce (and maybe some of their homemade preserves and berry wine too)!

 

Where is Maan Farms and the Sunflower Festival?

Maan Farms is located at 790 McKenzie Road in Abbotsford. It’s about a 10-minute drive south of the Seven Oaks Shopping Centre, and 10 minutes west of Abbotsford International Airport. It’s also not far from Costco and the Trans-Canada Highway at Sumas Way.

The Sunflower Festival is right at the farm. The actual field of sunflowers is a bit of a walk away. On the other side of the road from the produce store and kids’ play areas is the corn maze, which is a good size. On the far side of the corn maze is the entrance to the field of sunflowers. From the ticket counter to the field of sunflowers is less than a 10-minute walk.

 

When is the Sunflower Festival?

The Abbotsford Sunflower Festival ran from August 19th until September 13th in 2020. It was open daily between 9 am and 5 pm during this time. In 2021 the event ran from July 30th to August 28th. It was open daily from 9 am until around 7 pm.

In 2022 the festival is likely taking place in a different format than usual, and for a shorter period of time. The experience runs in September this year, although exact dates and details are to be confirmed.

 

How Much does the Festival Cost?

Admission to the Sunflower Festival cost between $17.50 and $26 for adults in 2021, depending on how you purchased your ticket and the day you went. For children the price was $15.

Below were the admission rates for 2021. As mentioned above, prices included access to the sunflower field, corn maze and animal farm.

On Weekdays

  • Adults (ages 13 and older): $17.50 online and $21 at the gate
  • Children (ages 3 to 12): $15

On Tuesday there is usually the Twelve Dollar Tuesdays promotion where tickets are, as stated, $12.

On Weekends

  • Adults (ages 13 and older): $22.50 online and $26 at the gate
  • Children (ages 3 to 12): $15

 


For tickets and other details see the Maan Farms website.


 

What to Expect at the Festival

There are three main elements to the festival, plus the produce store. First, there are the sunflowers to admire and take photos of. Second, there is the corn maze to explore. Third, there is the Barnyard Adventureland to have fun at. In 2021, there was also the addition of the Secret Sunflower Picnic, which cost extra. See below for details about each.

 

Rainbow in Maan Farms Sunflower Field

 

The Field of Sunflowers

The sunflowers are in a field at the far side of the corn maze. It’s about a 5 to 10-minute walk from the main building and play areas at Maan Farms. There are signs along the route to get there.

From the ticket counter you cross the street, walk along the dirt road past the corn maze, and then around to the far side of the field of corn. There you’ll find the entrance to a pathway through the corn stalks to a yellow door (yes, it’s in amongst the corn). On the other side of the door is a field, maybe 2 acres or so in size, full of sunflowers.

The sunflowers are all about 3 feet tall, plus or minus. So they aren’t as tall as at some places. They are beautiful though, and a perfect height for young children. The flowers are also spaced out a bit, so you can walk around some of them. At the far end of the field is a giant multi-coloured rainbow structure which makes for wonderful photos.

There isn’t a set path to walk around in the field of sunflowers. You can just wander around as you please. Expect to stay there for between about 10 and 20 minutes depending on how long you want to admire the flowers and how many photos you want to take.

Unlike some of the Lower Mainland’s other sunflower festivals, the event in Abbotsford isn’t just about the flowers. And there isn’t live entertainment either. It’s a very child-friendly event, with a focus on kids, and that’s where some of the festival’s other elements come in and make it so much fun!

 

The Corn Maze

Maan Farms has a corn maze each year in the late summer and early fall. They have a kid-friendly themed one, plus scarier versions for older youth towards Halloween.

The corn maze during the Sunflower Festival is very child-friendly. In fact, the 2020 theme was Disney’s Frozen. As folks explored the maze and made their way around the labyrinth of turns and corridors, they found clues in different places. It’s a lot of fun for young families.

 

Maan Farms Corn Maze
Corn Maze at Maan Farms

 

Maan Farms Barnyard Adventureland

In Barnyard Adventureland you’ll find the farm animals and children’s play structures. It’s open throughout most of the year, pretty much whenever the produce store is open.

Admission to just this area usually around $10 per person, and access is included with admission to the Sunflower Festival. This means that if you buy your tickets online, the field of sunflowers and corn maze cost just $8 or so extra for adults on weekdays, and around $5 for children.

We think Barnyard Adventureland is a great place! It’s fairly simple and rustic, but so much fun for young children!

Near the entrance there is a giant sandbox area with a playground slide and other structures. Right beside that is the hobby farm where you can see goats, sheep, chickens and sometimes even a couple of peacocks. You can buy food to feed some of the animals too. Also, when we last went, we saw bunnies hopping around freely nearby on the grass.

Further along, past the farm animals and behind the produce store, there is a large open field. There you’ll find a race track for children to ride peddle cars and tricycles around, a couple of fun play structures, and a zipline that goes from one end of the field to the other. Also in Barnyard Adventureland there is a massive jumping pillow (which kids will absolutely adore)!

If you have young children, Maan Farm’s Barnyard Adventureland is highly recommended! Kids can spend hours playing there if you let them!

 

Maan Farms Play Area
Giant Sandbox in Barnyard Adventureland

 

Secret Sunflower Picnic

For those who want to spend some more time at the festival, there is the option to be taken to an out of the way picnic area where you can enjoy some fine foods curated by Maan Farms. This VIP Secret Picnic Pass costs around $50 to $60 dollars (bought instead of the regular pass and not on top of it).

Along with all the features of the regular pass, the picnic pass includes your choice of a charcuterie board or a tandoori chicken box, the choice of sangria made on the premises or a wine slushie, animal feed to give to the animals on the farm and a pass to come back to the farm for free on any future weekday.

 

Tips and Advice

Below are some tips and suggestions to help you make the most out of your visit to Maan Farms and the Abbotsford Sunflower Festival.

TIP #1: While at the farm be sure to check out the fresh produce for sale. Their homemade jams and pies are good too, as is their butter chicken and other food items.

TIP #2: Barnyard Adventureland is a great place for children in the spring, summer and fall. It’s just extra special when there are events going on at the same time, like the Sunflower Festival with its flowers and the corn maze. The place is an outdoor venue though, so best on days when it’s not raining. Also, when it’s wet, the giant jumping pillow is usually closed.

TIP #3: Maan Farms is a farm and it sells its own produce. Early fall is a good time to go, especially if you like corn, and, later in the season, if you’re looking for a pumpkin. The best time for produce though, when there is the best selection, is in late spring and early summer. So be sure to drop by the place then too!

TIP #4: In October, Maan Farms has a pumpkin patch and Halloween activities. That’s an especially good time to visit too! See our article about the Maan Farms Pumpkin Patch for details.

TIP #5: Don’t forget that gas is usually cheaper in Abbotsford than places within Metro Vancouver. Be sure to fill up while in the area!

TIP #6: The Fraser Valley is well-known for its wineries and wines, including its berry wines. Maan Farms makes its own wines which you can sample in the store. They are delicious, and some have even won awards. If you like wine, especially berry wines, you should check them out!

 

Other Information

To learn more about the farm and its various things to see, do and buy, see the official Maan Farms website. More information can also be found in our own article about Maan Farms.

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