AVON, Ohio -- If you drive down Jaycox Road by Middleton Drive, you will notice that the land north of the Norton Place subdivision is finally being cleared to make way for the new Prayers from Maria Sunflower Field of Hope.
Approximately 42 acres was purchased in 2020 by the Prayers from Maria Foundation for the future home of the well-known sunflower field.
The field honors Maria McNamara, who passed away on July 14, 2007, at the age of 7 after a 14-month battle with brain cancer.
Her parents, Ed and Megan, started the Prayers From Maria Children’s Cancer Foundation, which is dedicated to funding global research into the causes, prevention, treatments and cure for deadly childhood brain tumors.
“The land isn’t perfect over there, and really nothing could be built over there,” Megan said of the new sunflower field.
“We were able to snag that property. We really had to clean it up. We have a lot of awesome people that are really technically sound helping us clear the land.
“We are planning on planting it soon,” she said.
“You never know what Mother Nature will bring. The land there is challenging. We are hoping for a beautiful bloom in September.
“All of the land will not be planted. We are going to concentrate on the land that will give us the best bloom. We hope to be able to announce a planting day soon.”
In addition to preparing the Avon field, as well as the other Prayers from Maria field at Cedar Point, the foundation is gearing up for its largest fundraisers -- the Sunflower Soiree and the Sunflower Wine Festival.
The Sunflower Soiree will take place July 12 at the Foundry, located on the Irish Bend of the Cleveland Flats downtown.
The event is a special evening for VIP supporters and their guests to come together in support of children fighting brain cancer.
“The Soiree really embraces our supporters and brings them together to hear what we are up to and what we’ve accomplished within the foundation,” Megan said.
“We provide updates on the research we are funding, and we bring in doctors and researchers to speak to our supporters about the projects we are funding.
“I always feel enormous gratitude to all of the people that have supported our mission.
“This started out with Ed and I losing our daughter,” she said.
“So many families have also been affected by cancer. For us to take up this cause and mission is so meaningful, and we are grateful for the support.
“We realize now more than ever how important it is to give them hope. Everyone has a choice to help others, and so many have helped us and all those dealing with cancer.”
The popular Sunflower Wine Festival will take place July 13 on Depot Street in Rocky River. The Wine and Craft Beer Gardens will be open from 4 to 9 p.m., with street cash bars and live music until 11 p.m.
Live music will be provided by Ed Purcell, Sunset Strip and Medusa.
Garden presale ticket wristbands are $60 for individual general admission. The price increases to $75 for individual general admission the day of the event (ticket availability not guaranteed day of event in case of sell-out).
Garden wristband purchase entitles the buyer to 10 2-ounce pours of wine or 10 4-ounce pours of craft beer (or a combination thereof) between 4 and 9 p.m.
A Grow The Movement Wristband is a required cover for anyone who wishes to enjoy the festival without going into the gardens.
VIP wristbands are $250 and entitle the purchaser access to an exclusive VIP tent with seating, open bar and food, a complimentary Mixology class ticket (per availability), in addition to full access to the wine and craft beer gardens.
Guests must be 21 years of age to purchase Garden wristbands and to enter the wine and beer gardens.
Final online pre-purchase price may include a mandatory processing fee. All sales are final, with no refunds.
The festival will take place rain or shine.
For more information, go to prayersfrommaria.org/events/swf.
Read more from the Sun Sentinel.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
