Fall in Ross, Ohio, comes with a little extra sparkle this year. Burwinkel Farms has turned its corn and sunflower fields into a giant tribute to Dolly Parton, the beloved country music star and philanthropist. The sunflower design spells out her name alongside a guitar, a heart, and the titles of her best-known songs, and Bob Burwinkel cut the whole thing using only a lawnmower. Farms across the country are honoring the late icon in their fields this fall, but this one is pure hometown handiwork. A trail lets families walk right through the blooms, and every guest gets to take a sunflower home.
A Farm Family Since 1918
Edward “Pappy” Burwinkel started the farm in 1918, and his son Richard took it over in the 1970s. Pappy began on leased land, signing a 40-year lease for the ground he farmed. Today the third generation runs the farm, with the fourth generation pitching in. Bobby Burwinkel is the lead grower and Karen Burwinkel manages the market. The family is famous for sweet corn, and every ear is still picked by hand and taste-tested each morning. The farm has grown to about 120 acres, and its produce travels daily to family-run roadside stands around Greater Cincinnati.
What the Kids Will Love
Little ones could spend a whole afternoon here. There are two corn mazes with four stations to find, plus a skid maze with punch stations. Kids can say hello to the donkey and goats, hunt for 14 themed scarecrows, and race ducks down a track before diving into a pool of corn. A Halloween scavenger hunt sends families all over the farm, and each child picks a small pumpkin from the patch, included with admission.
Our Day at the Farm
My son Cam and I made the trip ourselves, and we had a blast. We wound our way through the maze, hitting plenty of dead ends and laughing the whole way, then climbed aboard for the tractor ride out past the fields. Before heading home, we picked out some sunflowers to bring back for Mom, which made us the heroes of the day. If you’re looking for an easy fall outing the whole family can enjoy at its own pace, this one delivers.
Plan Your Visit
Fall activities run daily through October 31, with the walking path open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The walking option is $8 per person and includes a one-mile round-trip stroll through the sunflowers and all activities. The hayride option is $12 per person and runs Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., weather permitting. Go soon, because the sunflowers only bloom until the first cold snap of October.
Address: 4359 Hamilton Cleves Road, Ross, OH 45013
Website: https://www.burwinkelfarms.com
