'Sunflower Explosion' and Other Great Ideas are Blooming to Beautify Farmington

Farmington wants to become the “city of sunflowers.”

To get there, the Farmington Beautification Committee is introducing a community-wide initiative, the “Sunflower Explosion,” to encourage everyone in town to enter the sunflower growing competition.

Taking part will not only brighten individual yards, but make Farmington an even brighter ot live, work and play, organizers say.

Sunflower seedlings and contest guidelines will be handed out at the Farmers Market on opening day, May 17, for anyone wanting to get in on the fun.

Prizes for the biggest sunflower, as well as the most sunflowers grown will be awarded at a special ceremony at the Warner Mansion on Aug. 17.   

The guidelines will also be available throughout the summer on the city’s web site, at Farmington City Hall, and at the Farmers’ Market Information Booth.

The Beautification Committee will take responsibility for sunflower plantings on Grand River and Shiawassee, as well as in front of the Masonic Temple this summer. The theme will apparent at Memorial Day and Founders Festival parades, when “marching” sunflowers will participate.

The Beautification Committee is involved in several other community activities during the upcoming months. Each year, the committee recognizes homeowners with the best “curb appeal” front yards and gardens; and those awards will also be handed out at the Warner Mansion on Aug. 17, along with awards in the committee’s first Flower Arranging Contest, which will be open to anyone who wants to showcase their creative talent and enter an original flower arrangement.

Details and prizes for that contest will be announced at a later date. The Beautification Committee will also continue its American Flag Program in the downtown area, expanding them from Grand River to also include a stretch of Farmington Road.  

The group is always looking for more volunteers and donations to help support the efforts of the committee, whose main purpose is to continue making Farmington an even more beautiful place to live, work and play.