GRAND OPENING: Dotterer Grown offers 24-acre sunflower maze
By Emily Wright
MILL HALL, PA- The owners of Dotterer Grown, a picturesque farm located in the heart of Nittany Valley, have announced that their sunflower maze will open to the public beginning this Tuesday, August 8 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The attraction is located along Nittany Valley Drive southwest of Mill Hall and will be open seven days a week, rain or shine.
The sunflower maze offers visitors an enchanting experience to wander through a sea of thousands of sunflowers as they begin to bloom. According to the owners, the maze will be operating for two weeks from the day of the grand opening; they say that the length of time the maze will be open “depends on Mother Nature.” Once the sunflowers bloom, they remain open for about two weeks before the petals eventually drop off, so don’t miss your opportunity to get lost in this enchanting labyrinth of sunflowers.
The maze is the brainchild of owners Doug and Cortney Dotterer, who wanted to promote local agriculture while offering a unique and interactive attraction that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. The meticulously planned sunflower maze offers visitors the opportunity to wander through towering sunflowers, creating an immersive and magical journey that, according to the owners, takes approximately 25 to 35 minutes to complete from start to finish.
The Dotterers wanted to incorporate agricultural education in their sunflower maze, so throughout the journey of the expansive maze, patrons can expect to learn a fun fact or two. There will also be shortcuts throughout the maze for those who may not want to complete the entire thing.
The sunflower maze also offers a separate “You Pick” flower section where patrons can pick their own sunflowers for $1 each.
Alongside the maze there will be a variety of food vendors in operation including the Dotterer Grown sweet corn wagon, which has gotten rave reviews on the Dotterer Grown Facebook page.
Patrons interested in getting professional photos around the sunflower maze can do so by booking a time slot with Audrey’s Fluttering Shutters Photography online. The owners noted that in order to get professional photos taken, patrons must book in advance. To reserve a spot, visit the Dotterer Grown Facebook page, where a link to online booking is available. A 15-minute photo session which includes four to eight edited images will cost $50. On her Facebook page, the photographer mentioned that dates are subject to change, and she might add extra dates of availability depending on the lifespan of the sunflowers and the weather. For the time being, Audrey’s Fluttering Shutters Photography is set to be on-site August 8-11 and August 14-18.
In addition to the sunflower maze, the Dotterer’s will be offering farm tours on Saturdays and Sundays only while the sunflower maze is operating. Farm tours will run from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The sunflower maze and the farm tour each cost $5 per person; children under the age of three are admitted free of charge.
The owners want visitors to be aware that bees and other insects aplenty are busy pollinating the flowers in and around the sunflower maze this time of year, and if it’s raining, visitors should not wear their favorite shoes.
In closing, the owners requested that The Record relay their message of thanks to the community; they say they are extremely grateful to have a community that supports their farm and what they do.
To learn more about the sunflower maze and to book a professional photo session, find the Dotterer Grown Facebook page by searching @DottererGrown.
The sunflower maze is located across from 6658 Nittany Valley Drive, Mill Hall PA.
There will be plenty of parking available in the three-acre parking lot, located right next to the maze.
For more information or to ask questions, the owners can be contacted through their Facebook page by sending them a message and also by email at: dotterergrown@gmail.com
Hours of Operation:
Sunflower Maze: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Seven days a week
Farm Tour: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m on Saturdays and Sundays only
