Calling all sunflower fanatics: Batey Farms of Rutherford County, an eighth-generation, family-owned and operated hog, row crop and hay farm, will be hosting the final day of their three-day sunflower extravaganza today starting at 5 p.m.
“This is the fourth year of sunflowers,” said Batey Farms co-owner Katherine Whitt. And what better time to venture the agricultural grounds than sunflower season?
Whether it’s the idea of allowing the sunflowers to serve as the perfect backdrop to your newest selfie or the excitement of losing yourself in the field until the sunflowers tower over you, you’re bound to have a blast at the Batey Farms sunflower extravaganza.
As if the profusion of sunflowers isn’t enough to entertain, visitors are encouraged to quest for farm-fresh vegetables hidden behind intertwining vines and roots. Corn, tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers and banana peppers are all available for self-picking.
The sunflower extravaganza is also equipped to satisfy your sweet tooth with berries, freshly made strawberry ice cream and good ol’ Georgia peaches.
“We don’t have the climate to grow peaches up here, but a family friend of ours is the owner of Jaemor Farms (of Georgia), and we partner with them (to provide peaches),” said Jessie Hickerson of Batey Farms. “We only get them about once, maybe twice, a year, and so we try to make a big deal about it, and people love it when they come up here (and we) have their peaches.”
On Tuesday night of the Batey Farms sunflower extravaganza, the venue also hosted its weekly “food truck Tuesday,” which included Brothers Burgers, Yayo’s O.M.G (Original Mexican Gourmet), Cousins Maine Lobster and The Dough Box.
“The Grove at Williamson Place has hosted food truck Tuesday all summer, and I believe we are planning on most Tuesdays through the end of August,” Whitt said. “We’ll probably evaluate it to see if we can have any fall dates, but it has been really successful.”
As for the sunflowers, today could possibly be your last chance to encounter their beauty this year.
“They only bloom, what I call pretty, for seven to ten days,” Whitt said.
The final scheduled sunflower viewing time will be tonight from 5 p.m. until dark. There is a $5 cover charge, and a portion of the event’s proceeds will go directly to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee.
The Batey Farms sign welcomes guests to the Batey Farms sunflower extravaganza in Murfreesboro, Tenn. on July 18, 2017. (Tayhlor Stephenson / MTSU Sidelines)
An abundance of sunflowers are available for viewing at the Batey Farms sunflower extravaganza in Murfreesboro, Tenn. on July 18, 2017. (Tayhlor Stephenson / MTSU Sidelines)
Sunflowers bring thousands of guests to the Batey Farms sunflower extravaganza in Murfreesboro, Tenn. on July 18, 2017. (Tayhlor Stephenson / MTSU Sidelines)
Kassidee Connolly-Billington (left), Brooklin Emmert and Elizabeth Hampton pose for a picture at the Batey Farms sunflower extravaganza in Murfreesboro, Tenn. on July 18, 2017. (Tayhlor Stephenson / MTSU Sidelines)
Guests of the Batey Farms sunflower extravaganza mingle and take photos in Murfreesboro, Tenn. on July 18, 2017. (Tayhlor Stephenson / MTSU Sidelines)
Abby Meek (left) and Megan Whipple pose alongside their dogs at the Batey Farms sunflower extravaganza in Murfreesboro, Tenn. on July 18, 2017. (Tayhlor Stephenson / MTSU Sidelines)
Six-year-old Braxten Farley plays in the sunflower field at the Batey Farms sunflower extravaganza in Murfreesboro, Tenn. on July 18, 2017. (Tayhlor Stephenson / MTSU Sidelines)
The sunflowers stand tall at the Batey Farms sunflower extravaganza in Murfreesboro, Tenn. on July 18, 2017. (Tayhlor Stephenson / MTSU Sidelines)
Sunflowers serve as the focal point of the Batey Farms sunflower extravaganza in Murfreesboro, Tenn. on July 18, 2017. (Tayhlor Stephenson / MTSU Sidelines)
Sisters Bella (left) and Noelani Johnson stop for a picture at the Batey Farms sunflower extravaganza in Murfreesboro, Tenn. on July 18, 2017. (Tayhlor Stephenson / MTSU Sidelines)
Local food trucks serve food at the Batey Farms sunflower extravaganza in Murfreesboro, Tenn. on July 18, 2017. (Tayhlor Stephenson / MTSU Sidelines)
Lines form for food from the local food trucks at the Batey Farms sunflower extravaganza in Murfreesboro, Tenn. on July 18, 2017. (Tayhlor Stephenson / MTSU Sidelines)
Guests eat and mingle at the Batey Farms sunflower extravaganza in Murfreesboro, Tenn. on July 18, 2017. (Tayhlor Stephenson / MTSU Sidelines)
Sunflower seeds are available for purchase at the Batey Farms sunflower extravaganza in Murfreesboro, Tenn. on July 18, 2017. (Tayhlor Stephenson / MTSU Sidelines)
Zucchini is one of many vegetables available for picking at the Batey Farms sunflower extravaganza in Murfreesboro, Tenn. on July 18, 2017. (Tayhlor Stephenson / MTSU Sidelines)
Green beans are ready for picking at the Batey Farms sunflower extravaganza in Murfreesboro, Tenn. on July 18, 2017. (Tayhlor Stephenson / MTSU Sidelines)
Children play at the Batey Farms sunflower extravaganza in Murfreesboro, Tenn. on July 18, 2017. (Tayhlor Stephenson / MTSU Sidelines)
Fresh Georgia peaches are provided by Jaemor Farm at the Batey Farms sunflower extravaganza in Murfreesboro, Tenn. on July 18, 2017. (Tayhlor Stephenson / MTSU Sidelines)
Guests pick their own vegetables at the Batey Farms sunflower extravaganza in Murfreesboro, Tenn. on July 18, 2017. (Tayhlor Stephenson / MTSU Sidelines)
Assorted vegetables are available for picking at the Batey Farms sunflower extravaganza in Murfreesboro, Tenn. on July 18, 2017. (Tayhlor Stephenson / MTSU Sidelines)
Blackberries are available for picking at the Batey Farms sunflower extravaganza in Murfreesboro, Tenn. on July 18, 2017. (Tayhlor Stephenson / MTSU Sidelines)
Garlic, rosemary and other herbs are sold at the Batey Farms sunflower extravaganza in Murfreesboro, Tenn. on July 18, 2017. (Tayhlor Stephenson / MTSU Sidelines)
Freshly made strawberry ice cream is sold at the Batey Farms sunflower extravaganza in Murfreesboro, Tenn. on July 18, 2017. (Tayhlor Stephenson / MTSU Sidelines)
