HERE COME THE SUNFLOWERS: Jaquish Farms’ Sunflower Maze Is Growing
what started as a tribute for his wife turned into an event to raise funds for local nonprofits
Sawyer Hoff, photos by Andrea Paulseth |
Talk about a spot that’s picture-perfect. Jaquish Farms, owned by Don and Jason Jaquish, is known for its vast sunflower fields and maze along Highway 85 near Eau Claire. This year, the maze will be open on Aug. 27-28 and Sept. 3-4 with all profits going to Joshua’s Camp, a local nonprofit.
They chose to donate to Joshua’s Camp because the charity provides a camp for families who have children impacted by cancer. This is important to them because Don Jaquish’s late wife, Babbette, died of multiple myeloma in 2014. Jaquish had planted the field of sunflowers to honor Babbette because her favorite flowers were sunflowers.
Along with the sunflower maze at Jaquish Farms, there will be wagon rides, a picking patch, a gold mine for kids, barrel train rides, wood-fired pizza, and other snacks to purchase. There will also be antique tractors within the maze that people can explore.
Admission is $5 per person or $20 per carload. Don and Jason have enjoyed watching just how happy their sunflowers make the children that come to visit.
“About three years ago I had some heart issues and I didn’t think I could do this anymore,” Don said. “On the last Sunday night of the year, this little girl came up to me and she was just adorable and she said, ‘Mister, I just want you to know, this is the best day of my life,’ which was adorable, but definitely didn’t help my decision to quit.”
You can learn more about the maze on Jaquish Farm’s Facebook and join them on Aug. 27-28 and Sept. 3-4 at W5725 State Road 85, Eau Claire.
