The sunflowers, grown by Rosedale Farming Company Ltd, have become an annual attraction in the district.
In 1974, the Mitchell and Webster families planted the first sunflowers at Rosedale Farm, on the corner of Thousand Acre and Springfield Rds, for their fledgling pet food company.
"We’re acknowledging over 50 years of growing bird seed in North Otago and the generational journey.
"Each generation has brought different things, so we acknowledge the past and embrace the future," Mr Mitchell said.
"Dad was very passionate about growing sunflowers and he’s passed on some of that knowledge to me and I’ve added to it and now I’m starting to do the same thing with [son] Henry.
"It’s a generational journey and Henry and Briar’s kids are running around learning about sunflowers at 1 and 3 years old so they’re beginning there."
In some ways sunflowers were taken for granted because the family had experienced a lifetime of them, he said.
"But when you stop and smell the flowers, it actually is quite nice."
The four Topflite owners — Pete and Sandra Mitchell and Greg and Caroline Webster — had been keen on the open day for a long time. The last one was held nearly 46 years ago by Mr Mitchell’s parents, Ross and Ainslie.
"We always thought it would be a good idea and this year everything lined up well.
"Mum and Dad did it years ago to raise money for the Weston Progress League and we chose the Stroke Foundation because Dad suffered a stroke when he was 72; he’s now 85.
"We wanted to acknowledge the good job [the foundation does] of supporting and educating others around stroke awareness, which was so helpful when Dad was going through that phase."
