When you take a short drive south of Hwy 85, you will quickly be greeted by fields of gold. Every August/September, these beautiful flowers bloom in memory of a beautiful woman. Keep scrolling to read the story behind Jaquish Farms Sunflower Maze and the dates when you can see them for yourself in person.
The Story
In the spring of 2006, Babbette was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. She fought her strongest fight for 9 years while her family was right alongside her through it all. Babbette, who was a mother, wife, daughter, sister, and friend, lost the fight in the fall of 2014. In honor of her and all those fighting similar battles, her family has planted sunflowers every year since her passing.
To this day, Babbette's family strives to give hope to other patients and families that may be going through that same battle they endured. Their mission is to raise money for organizations that engage in cancer research and support patients going through cancer treatment.
2024 Viewing Dates
The Jaquish Farms Sunflower Maze typically blooms from mid to late August. Bring the family to the Jaquish Farms Sunflower Maze on August 24, 25, 31, & September 1, 2024, for wagon rides, antique tractors, sunflower picking, and more family-friendly activities. The fields are open from 11 AM - 6 PM, and admission is $25 per carload or $7 per person. Food trucks will be available on-site all day at the events. All proceeds will benefit Joshua's Camp to help children with cancer.
The Location
Jaquish Farm is located at W5725 WI-85 in Eau Claire, WI (coordinates: 44.751179, -91.650198).
The Sunflowers
The origins of sunflowers trace back all the way to archeological sites from 3,000 B.C. Native Americans that resided in the southwest or the Mississippi River Valley area were the first to cultivate the flowers using them as a source for medicine, fiber, seeds, and oil. When European settlers arrived to the United States, they immediately sent seeds back to Europe. Van Gogh appreciated the beauty of sunflowers so much that he painted them in his artwork. Their beauty and radiance have captured the eyes and hearts of people worldwide.
While they are wonderful to look at, their seeds also make a nutritious snack. They are rich in vitamins, proteins and minerals. You can mix them with nuts or even sprinkle them on top of your salads.
