Packet push grows ahead of sunflower celebration

FREE sunflower seed packets at local businesses are quickly running out as next year’s Surf Coast Celebration of Sunflowers fast approaches.

Surf Coast Celebration of Sunflowers organiser Bronwyn McNamee says less than 500 of the original 3,000 free seed packets remain across nine different businesses in Torquay and Jan Juc.

“Sunflower seeds are quickly going, so it should be a matter of weeks before they are all gone,” Ms McNamee said.

“It’s not only important that residents find packets quick because they are running out, but also because the cut-off day where growing sunflowers is less than a fortnight away if growers hope to have their flowers in full bloom before the celebration day on Saturday, February 18.

“It typically takes between 60 to 90 days for sunflowers to fully flower.”

Mavis Mavis, Little Things Big Thing Café, Torquay Library, Swell, Surfcoast $2+, Tama Tama Coffee Roasters, Torquay Community House, Feed Me Surfcoast and Salty Dog Café have assisted Ms McNamee’s volunteer group in circulating sunflower seeds to the wider community over the past month.

The celebration is now in its third-straight year and aims to spread joy among the local community.

A key aspect of the annual celebration is the list of awards available to growers. Different award categories include tallest, shortest, cutest, most unfortunate, and best dressed sunflowers.

Ms McNamee and her volunteers are excited to see what next year’s Surf Coast Celebration of Sunflowers will bring.

“We can’t wait to welcome the community back to the foreshore in February,” Ms McNamee said.

“The event held earlier this year was a terrific turnout, and we couldn’t be more pleased with how it went.

“We are expecting a drier and warmer summer over the next few months, so we are hopeful for beautiful weather when it comes to the celebration.

“But none of this would be possible without the help we’ve received from local businesses. Without them, getting the word out would have been a lot more difficult.”

Join the Surf Coast Celebration of Sunflowers Facebook group to follow announcements and updates.