Beaver Dam Farm Sunflower Festival got off to a great start Saturday, before a fast-rising thunderstorm with its 40mph winds shut things down before the schedule end-of-day.

That was followed by a full day of sunflowers and activities on Sunday.

Organizer Candace Monaghan plans the same again this coming Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 8 and 9— the second weekend of the third annual festival.

Crafters, jewelry, other vendors, food, a kids’ activity area, ice cream, wagon rides and other activities envelop the 20 acres of sunflowers that are the center of the festival.

Those sunflowers were the subject of hundreds of photographs, too, as visitors followed paths through the flowers snapping photos of the kids, family and taking selfies.

A “LOVE” photo station was a popular spot in the middle of the sunflowers where folks waited Sunday afternoon for a chance to pose.

“It’s funny how we seemed to have made the news because of the storm,” Monaghan said after the first weekend. “We got hit hard (Saturday afternoon) and out of nowhere, had to close early due to safety reasons…tents and merchandise being destroyed, but we picked back up, set back up and had a great day on Sunday.”

“It was a great turnout both days. We saw lots of repeat visitors, had four engagements (that I know of) happen, and both craft and food vendors had amazing sales,” she said.

Monaghan noted, too, “I’m grateful for the sponsors that we have on board this year. Their additions of music (on Saturdays), hospitality and a kids coloring and refreshment zone have been wonderful.”

The Sunflower Festival continues from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $5. The festival is located at the corner of US 11 and Wheatland Road south of Buchanan. There are entrances on both roads.

— Ed McCoy