LAWRENCE, Kan. - The sunflowers have finally bloomed and are once again drawing thousands of people to Grinter Farms.
“It feels pretty good to have everything go smooth,” Farmer Ted Grinter said.
He owns the more than 40 acre sunflower farm.
The fields of blooming sunflowers have become a perfect spot for pictures. They also have been attracting visitors from all over the state and country including Azalia Leblanc from Las Vegas, Nevada.
“You wouldn’t think there could be as many sunflowers in one spot,” she said. “It’s amazing.”
The farm’s popularity became problematic last Labor Day weekend.
The wet weather coupled with the farm’s new-found popularity created a chaotic scene. The Leavenworth County Sheriff’s Office even tried to shut the sunflower farm down as traffic backed up onto the Kansas Turnpike and blocked some country roads. Officials also reported a handful of accidents as a result of the traffic jams.
This season, Grinter created more parking on an old corn field and recruited volunteers to help out as parking attendants. The warm and dry weather helped, too.
“Everybody has been following directions and reading the signs,” Grinter said. “With the way it’s gone this year, I think we’ll do it again next year.”
While most of the sunflowers are expected to stay in their prime for another week, Grinter said the season isn’t over just yet. Another crop is set to bloom in the coming weeks.
You can find tips and rules for your visit on the farm’s Facebook page.
