Eco-tourism partnership blooms in Girard between Hagen History Center, PA distillery
The Hagen History Center has entered into an eco-tourism partnership with a Pennsylvania distillery.
And the seeds will be cultivated on the historic site of the Battle of Girard.
'Sunflowers are the happy flower. And we know from lots of examples throughout the story that people will travel. This will be one of the largest sunflower plots in the tri-state area,' said Caleb Pifer, executive director of the Hagen History Center.
On that historic field in Girard, 1.2 million sunflowers are being planted. Come August, the historic site's 50 acres will be fully in bloom, and people are sure to take notice.
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But just as important is what will happen to the sunflowers come fall. That's when Wild's Sonshine Factory in Kane, Pennsylvania, will step in. The factory distills the only spirits made from sunflowers in the world.
From that field, those sunflowers will be harvested and distilled into a completely unique sonshine spirit that will be sold first here in the 814.
'We'll produce probably between, I thought somewhere in the $500,000 to $600,000 worth of product off these fields. We can get 300 to 400 bottles an acre of finished product, so we'll take that and offer it to Erie County first,' said David Conklin, president of Wild's Sonshine Factory.
The battle site has come full circle to its agricultural roots.
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'This is one of the earliest suppliers of grapes to Welch's, as an example, so this brings it all back,' said Pifer.
Girard Mayor Peter Burton said a number of special events will be planned on the site, but the public is welcome to take in the beauty of the sunflower field for free.
'It's really a unique opportunity to bring people to the property and get people excited about Girard and the battles. Miss Battles would just love that this is going on!' said Mayor Burton.
Weather permitting, planting will begin on May 12.
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