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04 Aug Empire of the Sun
Dancing Grain’s 2025 Sunflower Festival
1 million sunflowers. 1 unforgettable month. Dancing Grain’s 2025 Sunflower Festival, Empire of the Sun, kicks off in a few short weeks!
This September, the fields come alive at Dancing Grain Farm Brewery for our third annual sunflower celebration: Empire of the Sun. We’ve gone bigger, brighter, and even more joyful this year, planting five acres of classic golden sunflowers that stretch toward the sky, plus a brand new pick-your-own field featuring over 15 unique sunflower varieties—from soft creams to bold reds to the deepest chocolate blooms. It’s a sunflower lover’s paradise.
Whether you’re coming for the flowers, the fresh air, or the farm-fresh beer, you’ll find plenty to explore. Meander through the fields, snap the perfect shot with one of our photo props, or simply soak it all in with a pint in hand and pick away! Bring your friends, your dog, your kids—or even your pro photographer (pass required). Empire of the Sun is about connection: to the land, to each other, and to the simple joy of a blooming field. Visit our store or use the button below to grab your Sunflower Field Tickets now!
Festival Highlights
1 MILLION SUNFLOWERS | WEEKLY BEER RELEASES | FOOD TRUCKS | LIVE MUSIC | U-PICK | MAKERS MARKET | TICKETED EVENTS
Weekly Beer Releases, including our FAMOUS Kiss My Peach – Peach Kettle Sour, our Stallbrenner – Oktoberfest Märzen Lager, Exit 17 – West Coast Pilsner, and many more!
Seasonal Cocktails – Sunflower-inspired sips and farm-fresh flavors, non alcoholic options available!
Live Music Every Friday and Saturday – Local favorites and new artists performing on the Wanda Wagon – bring a chair or reserve a table by emailing farrah@dancinggrain.com
Food Truck Lineup – A rotating menu of regional favorites and creative eats – please visit our News & Events Calendar for details
Makers Market Sundays – Local vendors, handmade goods, and one-of-a-kind finds, and farm fresh goodness!
Wednesday & Sunday Yoga in the Sunflower Field – Yoga Mandali returns with Sunday Yoga in the Sunflower field. Bring your own mat. Register ahead or upon arrival.
Sunflower-Themed Events – Tie-dye workshops, sunflower themed charcutier tastings, and more
Dog & Kid Friendly – Relax while the whole family enjoys the farm
DANCING GRAIN’S 2025 SUNFLOWER FESTIVAL – SPECIAL EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE MONTH
Capture the Magic of Sunflower Season
Book a Sunflower Mini Session with YTK Photography at Dancing Grain Farm Brewery on 9/13, 9/14, and 9/21! These golden-hour shoots are perfect for families, couples, grads, or anyone looking to refresh their photos in a stunning sunflower backdrop. Sip farm-brewed beer, stroll the fields, and let YTK work their magic while the blooms do the rest. Spots are limited—use the button below to book your session today!
Sunday Farm & Maker’s Market
Join us for our Sunflower-Themed Farm & Makers Market at Dancing Grain Farm Brewery every Sunday in September (9/7, 9/14, 9/21 & 9/28) from 12–6 PM! Shop handmade goods, local produce, art, and more from some of our favorite vendors while sipping farm-brewed beer in peak sunflower season. Bring the family, grab a pint, and stroll the fields—it’s the perfect way to spend a Sunday on the farm! This event is free to attend, though tickets are required to access the fields.
Sunflower Tote Bag Workshop
Join us at Dancing Grain Farm Brewery for a fun Sunflower Tote Bag Painting Workshop with your first drink included! Hosted by Art in Mind Studio, you’ll stencil and paint a 14″ x 14″ canvas tote with guidance from a professional art instructor—no experience necessary, and all supplies provided. Food and additional drinks available for purchase. Space is limited, so reserve your spot at least 24 hours in advance to guarantee a seat!
Sunflower Tie Dye Workshop
Join us at Dancing Grain Farm Brewery on Thursday, September 18 at 5:30 PM for our Sunflower Tie-Dye T-Shirt Workshop hosted by Meghan Reynolds of Beeing Artsy! For $40, you’ll get a fresh DG brew, all the materials to create your own sunflower-themed shirt, and hands-on instruction from a local artist. No experience needed—just come ready to sip, dye, and have fun on the farm! Space is limited, so grab your spot today. Please note your size at checkout.
Beer & Charcuterie Tasting
Join us on Wednesday, September 24 from 6–7:30 PM for a special Charcuterie & Craft Beer Pairing hosted by Adirondack Charcuterie and Dancing Grain Farm Brewery! Enjoy five farm-brewed beers paired with five artisan bites, plus sunflower-inspired treats and golden hour views over our blooming fields. Tickets are $55 and include the full tasting experience. Space is limited—reserve your spot today!
Sunflower Yoga & Beer
Join us for Sunflower Yoga with Yoga Mandali, happening every Wednesday at 6:30 PM and Sunday at 11:00 AM throughout September! Stretch it out among the blooms, breathe in the country air, and reward yourself with a post-flow drink in the taproom. Your $25 ticket includes the full outdoor class experience plus a drink ticket to toast your inner zen (some exclusions apply). Bring your mat, your bestie, and your love of golden hour vibes. Space is limited—grab your spot and come flow in the flowers!
SUNFLOWER FEST VOLUNTEER SIGN UP
Want to be part of the magic this September? Sign up as a Ticketing Volunteer and help us keep the good times blooming at Dancing Grain!
As a ticketing volunteer, you’ll be stationed at the entry tent helping guests check in, handing out buckets and shears, counting stems when they return, and making sure those tools come back home safely. (Each guest who borrows a bucket provides a license, which you’ll return once the gear is returned — easy peasy.)
VOLUNTEER TASKS
- Sell tickets for cash
- Direct guests to the bar if they’re paying by card
- Help sell vases or other merch as needed
VOLUNTEER PERKS
- Two FREE passes to the sunflower field — valid any day after your shift
- Two drink tickets — redeemable any time in September (though most volunteers use them the same day!)
- 10% off all sunflower fest merchandise!
This is your chance to get behind the scenes, meet some amazing folks, and enjoy the best of late summer at Dancing Grain. It’s a great way to give back, make friends, and take in the views while you’re at it.
Click below to sign up — we can’t wait to have you on the team!
SUNFLOWER FEST PHOTOGRAPHY SESSIONS
Sunflower Snap Sessions at Dancing Grain
Calling all shutterbugs, memory-makers, and golden-hour chasers! Book a 3-hour reservation to capture the magic of our blooming Sunflower and Zinnia fields. Whether you’re snapping engagement magic, family smiles, grad caps, baby bumps, artsy vibes, editorial spreads, lifestyle bliss, or mini-session joy — our fields are your playground.
Want to Do a Swapsies?
We’re on the lookout for talented amateur or pro photographers who want to trade time in the fields for gorgeous shots we can use! Think family portraits, editorial gems, candids of happy customers, pups at play, vendors, workshops, live music, and the overall good-time glow of Sunflower Fest.
If that sounds like your jam, email info@dancinggrain.com with the subject “I want a swapsies” and a link to your work. We’ll get back to you faster than a sunflower turns to the sun. Cheers to #GreatBeerAndFlowersGrownHere!
The Nitty Gritty
Give us your client list at check-in so we can keep things running smoothly. We’ve got a few fun props ready for you, but feel free to bring a sprinkle of your own (minimal, please). Photographers get 5 blooms on us — clients can pick their own if they purchase a field ticket (online or at the taproom). Extra blooms? $3 each. Friendly, leashed dogs are welcome. All other animals need our green light ahead of time – email info@dancinggrain.com to request permission for other animal species. We regret to inform you that our fields are not wheelchair accessible.
Photography Policies
One reservation = one photographer. Bringing a second shooter? They’ll need their own booking. Assistants are fine, as long as they’re not behind the lens. Rowdy pets (or humans!) may be asked to leave — no refunds for bad behavior. Bad weather? You can reschedule to another date. We suggest planning a rain date with your clients in advance. Our farm is open during your session, but the fields are big enough to give everyone space. Share the sunshine — be kind to fellow photographers and guests. No drones without prior written approval.
DANCING GRAIN’S 2025 SUNFLOWER FESTIVAL – FAQ’s
Can we bring our own food?
Sure! Think picnic fare — sandwiches, snacks, or a pizza if you’re feeling fancy. But if you’re rolling in with catering trays, disposable place settings, tablecloths, or a DIY buffet setup… that’s a no-go unless you’ve booked a party package in advance with management. To do so, email farrah@dancinggrain.com
Please don’t make us be the bad guys on your wife’s birthday. Oh — and all coolers and bags larger than a purse will be checked at the door.
Can we bring our own beverages?
Hard no. No water, no juice, no coffee, no wine hidden in a Yeti — nothing. We make our living crafting beverages for all ages and preferences, and we’ve got plenty to choose from: farm-fresh beer, house-made seltzers, slushies, mixed cocktails, wine, cider and more. All outside drinks will be dumped at the door. Period. It’s not personal, it’s just good business.
Do I need a ticket to enter the sunflower field?
Yes! Tickets are required to enter the sunflower field.
Weekdays: $15 adults / $10 kids (2–12)
Weekends: $20 adults / $15 kids
Kids under 2 are free
Buy online or at the door — online gets you through the line faster!
What’s included with my ticket?
Entry to the sunflower field, 5 stems per person (cut your own!), access to shears + buckets for picking, use of all our photo ops, enjoy our walking paths (and maybe get a little lost — in a good way!). We recommend bringing a vase or container to get your blooms home safely, or you can buy one on-site.
Do I need a ticket if I just want to experience #BrewsAndViews?
No field ticket needed if you’re just hanging in the taproom or patio. BUT — everyone must open a tab, and we’ll add a drink ticket for a beer on to your tab redeemable at the bar. Want something fancier like a cocktail? Your beertender can swap it out for you.
Heads up: You’ll see a $50 preauth on your card (temporary hold, don’t panic – it allows us to redeem the fees for our products and services if you leave without closing). Tabs left open will be charged with a 22% tip — don’t ghost us.
What are your hours during Sunflower Fest?
We’re open as soon as the blooms pop (follow us for updates)!
Wed: 10 AM–8 PM (NO FOOD TRUCKS)
Thurs: 10 AM–8 PM (FOOD TRUCK AT 3 PM)
Fri & Sat: 10 AM–9 PM (FOOD TRUCK AT 12 PM)
Sun: 10 -7 PM (FOOD TRUCK AT 12 PM)
Can I bring my dog?
Yes! Leashed pups are welcome — 6 ft, non-retractable leashes only please. Check out the puppy splash pad (no kids allowed, no exceptions — sorry toddlers!). Snap a pic and tag #DogsOfDancingGrain to enter our $50 gift card giveaway!
What should I wear?
Whatever makes you feel fabulous and farm-ready. But we don’t recommend heels or open toed shoes and sunflower pollen stains, so dress accordingly. It’s a field, not a runway — you’ve been warned.
Is the field stroller or wheelchair accessible?
The taproom is ADA-compliant. The field? Not so much. Joggers or strollers with big wheels will do best — umbrella strollers will struggle, and wheelchairs may not be safe in the uneven terrain. (We wish it were otherwise — farms are tricky!)
Can I bring a pro photographer or schedule a shoot?
We LOVE your love of photos — just grab a photographer’s pass when you buy tickets (scroll down the page). All bags are subject to search — no sneaking in drones, tripods, or fancy rigs without a pass – it’s impossible for our staff to know if you’re an amateur or professional on the spot. No pass, no equipment.
Interested in trading a pass for pics? Email farrah@dancinggrain.com. We will trade passes for images of the following: family portraits, landscape photography, candid customer shots, professional photos of vendors, musicians, and food trucks on farm.
What happens if it rains?
No worries! If it rains, your ticket is still good on another day — just stick to the same ticket tier (weekday/weekend). Weekday tickets aren’t valid on weekends unless you pay the difference.
Do you have onsite parking?
Yes — but it gets busy! Parking is $5 per car on Fri–Sun, please bring cash to support our weekly fundraising initiatives.
Do you have non-alcoholic drinks?
Yes! We’ve got house-made slushies, seltzers, and rotating local NA drinks.
We don’t carry NA beer, and outside beverages still aren’t allowed — even if they’re NA.
What other drinks do you offer?
We serve beer (of course), wine, cider, and seasonal farm-batch cocktails made with Cooperstown Distillery whiskey and Springbrook Distillery vodka. We have Bowman’s regular apple cider, lemonade, dye-free slushies Ask your beertender what’s fresh!
Are you handicap accessible?
Yes and no. The taproom and porch are fully ADA accessible. The yard and sunflower field are not — it’s a working farm with natural terrain.
Do you have food?
Absolutely — we’ll have multiple food trucks trucks each day during the fest. You can also bring picnic food (see FAQ #1), but please clean up after yourselves. We’re a brewery, not a restaurant — no servers, just good vibes.
Do you host private events?
Yes! We offer private and semi-private parties, and you can even reserve tables for a deposit. Email farrah@dancinggrain.com for events. Call the taproom for table reservations: 518.808.3432
Can I smoke or vape at the farm?
Nope — Dancing Grain is a smoke-free facility. If you need to light up, please do so near the dumpster and dispose of your trash properly.