Angela Buckle, who organized the event, said employees had long enjoyed the farm after closing and wanted to share that experience with visitors.

“This is the most beautiful time of night to visit the farm,” Buckle said.

The event also serves as a way to introduce more people to the farm’s U-pick flowers, now in their third season. Buckle said the farm used advance reservations to estimate attendance, offering a discounted flower bundle to those who responded while keeping the event open to everyone.

About an hour into the opening night, Buckle said attendance had exceeded her expectations. Jennifer Kirby performed Friday. Mickey P is scheduled to perform Aug. 7, followed by Sam Terpening on Aug. 14.

Elisha Barmann, the farm’s store manager and flower grower, said the flower area has expanded from in-ground plots during its first season to raised boxes added last year. She said zinnias serve as focal flowers in many bouquets, while celosia and basil add texture, greenery and scent.

“You can’t mess up a flower bouquet,” Barmann said. “You can only just put it together, and it becomes beautiful on its own.”

Visitors included Alex Neske and her family from Parkville, who had visited earlier in the week to see the farm animals and returned after learning about the festival. Her children remained especially interested in Dante the horse, but the family also explored the flower paths and activities.

Photo by Megan Jantos

Above, Alex and Nathan Neske of Parkville visit the Sunflower Path with their children July 31 during the inaugural Wildflower Festival at Weston Red Barn Farm. The family returned after visiting the farm earlier in the week. 

“You can come back multiple times and still not see everything,” Neske said.

The Wildflower Festival continues Friday, Aug. 7, and Friday, Aug. 14, at the Red Barn Farm in Weston.