Enjoy the happiest flowers on earth at the Kalbar Festival

Well you can at the 2024 Kalbar Sunflower Festival - a long weekend of fun, fantastic food, friendship, entertainment and of course many, many sunflowers to walk through, fly over, pick, photograph from every angle and picnic next to.

You will find the festival at the farm of Jenny and the late Russell Jenner, nestled in the heart of the picturesque Scenic Rim region about an hour and a half from Brisbane.

It's a joyous event born of tribulation. In 2021, the lucerne farming couple were struggling to keep their crops alive during one of the longest droughts in living memory. Water had gotten so bad that they couldn't grow their main crop, but after Russell brought a bunch of sunflowers home from the grocery store there was a "light bulb" moment. Sunflowers need very little water and they look spectacular; and the festival grew from there.

This year's festival runs from April 19-21 and is expected to attract more than 13,000 visitors. It's grown from strength to strength but this year will be missing the presence of sunflower man Russell who died of oesophageal cancer last year.

Some of the proceeds from the event will go to the Mater Hospital which treated Russell during his cancer journey and in memory of the times he took bunches of sunflowers to give to fellow patients to help brighten their treatment days.

Jenny is hoping to raise $100,000 for the Mater this year. In 2022 and 2023 the festival raised $115,000 for the Cancer Council.

The festival has something for everyone - long lunches (including the Mater Foundation Fundraiser Lunch on Saturday) Devonshire teas, food stalls, music, crafts, helicopter rides over the sunflowers, walks among the sunflowers, market stalls, fun activities for the kids, sunflower picking or buying, baby sheep to pet, sensory and fairy gardens, art workshops where you can unleash your hidden Van Gogh, photoshoots, wellness events and sunset drinks, canapes and entertainment.

Jenny said the festival had been made possible with family support and a team of dedicated friends.

"The sunflowers were Russell's idea and they've been such a huge success," said Jenny.

"It's such a feel good weekend with lots of smiles. You just can't not be happy when you are surrounded by a million and a half sunflowers."

Applications are being taken for group bookings. General admission and special event and workshop tickets go on sale at the end of March.

Adults $32 includes a donation to the Mater Foundation Cancer Care Centre. If buying online through ticket company Ticketebo guests go in a draw to win a $4000 lab diamond from The Moissanite Company at New Farm.

Teens - 13-17 years old $15; Children 12 and under are free.

Companion Cards are free with a paying visitor.

kalbarsunflowers.com.au