Cold and rainy weather has not been ideal conditions for the Wye Mountain Daffodil Festival.
Last week there were only a few blooms on the plants, but with the warm weather Saturday afternoon and mild conditions on Sunday and Monday, spring has arrived and visitors are seeing a dazzling daffodil display this week.
David Harmon, a member of the church, said this annual festival started with a bushel of daffodils and a man in the community with a dream a long time ago.
“His dream was that daffodils would support a church, and people said that’s not going to happen, but it’s happened,” David said
With 35 varieties covering seven acres people across the state look forward to seeing the field of flowers.
Mary Donovan is originally from Ohio and said right now is the time to go.
“This is as pretty as I have ever seen it. To see this much color all over the fields is beautiful,” Mary said
However, something from last year’s landscape is missing.
“I would say about 70 percent of the people that have come out and visited have asked what happened to the tree,” church member Bobby Younger said.
The gigantic cherry bark oak tree that stood on the hill for around 300 years was toppled by strong winds last summer.
“People come out here all the time all year round and just look at the cross knowing there is a daffodil field here,” Harmon said.
The little rays of sunshine that bring smiles every year keep the small church alive.
“If this field didn’t exist we would be like all the rest of the United Brethren Churches in Arkansas, we wouldn’t exist anymore,” Harmon said.
The church has extended the Wye Mountain Daffodil Festival through St. Patrick’s Day.
Admission is free, all donated money goes directly to the church, members said.
Gates are open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.