By Randy Arrington
LURAY, Aug. 29 — Here comes the sun…despite the recent drought and high temperatures, this phrase carries a special and positive meaning this weekend in the Page Valley. The fifth annual Page Valley Sunflower Festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31 at Ralph Dean Park.
“Everyone loves sunflowers and it’s a very fun, friendly, family event,” said Megan Gordon, program coordinator for Page Alliance for Community Action (PACA). The non-profit plans to use donations made from clipping sunflowers in the field, to fund programs that keep local kids and their families healthy and drug-free.
Despite little rain this summer, Tropical Storm Debbie earlier this month provided some moisture for the stunted sunflowers to pop up and show some life. Local farmers have also helped in the watering of the sunflower field just outside Ralph Dean Park.
The entrance fee to the festival is $5 per carload, to help offset the costs of putting on the festival. However, a long list of other activities are absolutely free once visitors get inside.
A 1K Fun Run will begin at 9:30 a.m., with registration at 9 a.m. under the Class of ’71 shelter. The Fun Run course takes participants around the sunflower field before clipping begins. Free activities and games include hay rides to the sunflower field, lawn games, axe throwing, a bounce house, an interactive butterfly tent, a pumpkin painting patch, a petting zoo, an inflatable corn maze, a bird feeder craft and more. Pony rides will be available for $5, and a barrel train ride is $3.
There will be even more craft vendors this year set up in the parking lots at 625 Sixth Street, joined by several food vendors. Last year’s event drew more than 2,000 to the park for live music, games, crafts, food…and of course, sunflowers.
PACA teams up with the Town of Luray’s Parks and Recreation Department, the Luray Downtown Initiative, the Page County Farmers Association, the Page Valley Arts Council, and Southern States to put on the now annual festival.
“It’s great partnerships,” said Gordon. “That’s what makes it a really fun community festival.”
Visitors to the festival may clip sunflowers by donation only. However sunflower clipping is not limited to the festival on Saturday. Clipping sunflowers will also be allowed by donation from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 1, and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 2.
PACA is a non-profit coalition of agencies, parents, youth and concerned citizens that do everything from teach young people to swim, to teaching the dangers of alcohol and drugs to both kids and parents.
“Our main goal is to promote healthy life choices for the youth and families in Page County,” reads the group’s website. “With the volunteers in our coalition, the funding from federal, state and foundation grants, we have focused our attention on preventing substance misuse among our youth and combating childhood obesity with physical activities and nutritional education.”
Don’t forget to also visit Downtown Luray — collect a clay medallion at the festival and show it at participating downtown shops and restaurants for dining and shopping specials. Stop by the Welcome Table at the festival and learn more.
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