Who doesn’t need to add some sunshine in the way of sunflowers to their life these days? Happy Day Farm in Manalapan, one of New Jersey’s most beautiful farms, will allow you and your crew to do just that. You and the kids can frolic through acres of sunflowers, sipping on the farm’s homemade lemonade or cooling off with some shaved ice before taking some bright blooms home.
While sunflowers are available now, the Central Jersey farm is known for acres of lavenders, fresh PYO blueberries and pumpkins. Blueberries are expected to start picking again on July 22.
“At Happy Day Farm we pride ourselves on our commitment to selling a family-friendly experience,” says Alexis Newman, the farm’s Marketing Director. Happy Day Farm is a family farm started by Farmer Tim and his wife, Olivia.
One ride to the hardware store and a few packets of pumpkin seeds later, Tim realized he could have much more than some sweet family photos on his hands. In 2007, his pumpkin patch was doubled to 60 x 60 with plans to host an October Festival for their family and friends. The festival was put on hold, however, as Tim and Olivia welcomed the birth of their child, a son Liam. They also have a daughter, Trinity. Coming off two successful growing seasons, Tim expanded his patch to an acre and celebrated his first October Festival in 2008.
The following year, Tim added a corn maze, and the October Festival continued to blossom. So much so that in 2012 he purchased Happy Day Farm. What began as a simple family activity, transformed into a place where Tim could share his love for planting and growing produce with the surrounding community so that they make their own memories.
While pumpkins were the starting point, Happy Day Farm can be enjoyed throughout the summer with full crops of fresh berries and beautiful sunflowers. Our favorite part of visiting at this time of year is simply to soak in the flowers’ golden hues with lots of photo ops, just like Farmer Tim’s original plans. See how you measure up to the sunflowers then stop at the farm’s shop to pick up some locally-made honey and maple syrup.
It’s easy to socially distance at the spacious farm. Guests must wash their hands upon arrival and wash stations with a foot pedal are available onsite. Masks are only required when in close proximity to others, like when purchasing products or on the tractor ride to the fields. Credit cards are accepted at the admission ticket booths, but the rest of the farm is cash only so families are asked to have both on hand. Read the full list of “Safe Operating Procedures” on the Happy Day Farm website.
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The farm is open Tuesday-Sunday from 8 am-3 pm, with the last ticket being sold at 2:30 pm. Admission to the farm is $8 per person and children 1 year and under are free. Sunflowers are $2.50 per stem. Bring your own cutting shears and a bucket of water so you can easily transport your flowers home.
