Van Gogh Days celebrates the sunflower

The event celebrates the unique beauty of summer’s signature flower — the sunflower — which Vincent Van Gogh made famous in his series of works painted from 1887-89.

Some 24 varieties of sunflowers will be on hand at the scenic farm. Traditional sunflowers are interspersed throughout their 10-acre pumpkin field, as well. Point them, photograph them, or pick a bouquet from the farm’s U-pick garden. Well-known Columbia Gorge artists will visit the farm both weekends during Van Gogh Days to offer tips on painting. There will also be live music on the weekends, and during the celebration, Rasmussen Farms will feature sunflower recipes, desserts and surprises.

The final weekend of Van Gogh Days (Aug. 23-24) corresponds with the valley-wide Gravenstein Apple Days. In addition to the plethora of sunflowers and the live music, that weekend the farm will serve us a pie walk, family activities — and lots of Gravenstein apples. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the covered picnic area; cold drinks, snacks and fruit can be purchased in the sales barn. The farm’s popular corn maze, with scenes from this year’s theme “Hansel and Gretel,” opens that weekend, as well.

Some 24 varieties of sunflowers will be on hand at the scenic farm. Traditional sunflowers are interspersed throughout their 10-acre pumpkin field, as well. Point them, photograph them, or pick a bouquet from the farm’s U-pick garden.