Cancelled due to weather challenges

The inaugural Canadian Sunflower Festival at Saunders Farm, which was to take place August 9-18, has been forced to cancel due to the absence of its main attraction – Sunflowers.

“We decided to cancel the festival rather than rename it the Unflower festival”, joked Mark Saunders, Director of Fun and owner of Saunders Farm.  “The weather was no joking matter this July, it was hot and dry.  The Farm received less than 35 mm of rain in July. To put this in context, in July 2018 we received 180mm of rain and in July 2017 we received about 250 mm.  Without the moisture, the plants just couldn’t grow, and so, we have no sunflowers.”

“We recognize climate change is very real and its having a direct impact on our Farm. We are always looking at ways to be better stewards of our land and our planet. This latest setback is another stronger reminder that depends our commitment and resolve to doing more than our part to combat climate change.

Currently our Farm is powered by Bullfrog Power, which commits to using renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. We have also planted more than 150,000 trees that store carbon, making our business carbon neutral”, says Mark Saunders, a 5th generation farmer.

The new festival produced by Saunders Farm, was to feature a 4 acre Sunflower field, photography class, yoga, special sunflower theme’d foods and sunflower picking.

There are a number of special events that will still go on, including the Chef’s Table- Festival of Small Halls dinners and concerts, on August 9 and 10th.  There is large yoga FLOW event as well as a single release concert for Ottawa’s Grace Lachance on August 15th.

Refunds will be available to those who purchased general admission tickets or tickets to one of our special events but, as the Farm is busy getting ready for its 28th Haunting Season and Frightfest (September 21-October 31st), we are happy to repurpose your tickets for one of these flagship experiences or our Summer Mazes Season.

For more information please contact Mark Saunders at mark@saundersfarm.com or call 613-859-0575.