Harvesting Fun at the Page Valley Sunflower Festival

In this episode, host Janet Michael speaks with Gina Hilliard, President of the Luray/Page Chamber of Commerce, Megan Gordon, Program Director for the Page Alliance for Community Action (PACA), and Jen Jenkins, Superintendent of Luray Parks/Rec. They discuss the upcoming fifth annual Page Valley Sunflower Festival, which takes place on Saturday, August 31, 2024, with additional sunflower clipping opportunities on Sunday, September 1st, and Monday the 2nd. The conversation begins with Gina sharing her excitement for the festival, highlighting how it has grown each year. Megan emphasizes the resilience required to pull off such an event, especially considering the challenges of weather and agriculture. Jen explains the meticulous care required to ensure the sunflowers grow in time for the festival. A variety of activities and events are lined up for the festival, including a 1K fun run kicking off at 9:30 AM, hay wagon rides, bounce houses, interactive butterfly tents, pumpkin decorating, and more. Local food trucks and craft vendors will be plentiful, offering everything from ice cream and lemonade to handcrafted items. Megan highlights PACA's mission to keep youth and families healthy and drug-free in Page County. She elaborates on the organization's many initiatives, from leadership training to community gardens and drug-free events. The festival serves not just as a fundraiser but also as an educational and interactive community event. Towards the end, Janet and her guests touch on other upcoming events in the area, including a Women in Business social and a golf tournament presented by Laurel Ridge Community College, the proceeds from which will fund scholarships for local high school seniors. For more details about the festival and other events, listeners are directed to visit various websites (linked above) and social media pages provided by the guests.