FLOWER POWER

ELVERSON >> Notice the extra traffic on Route 23 near the Please Wash Me Car Wash? It’s that time of year again.

Tens of thousands of visitors are making the annual trek to tiny Elverson to view (and be photographed) in a large field of sunflowers next to the car wash.

Car wash owner Rick Frey is responsible for the display and he doesn’t charge for it.

“Every year this is my gift to the community,” said Frey.

Thanks to publicity about the field, a steady stream of visitors travels to Elverson in August to view the display.

Frey has been doing this for years and if you go to his Facebook page ‘Please Wash Me Car Wash’ you will see hundreds of likes and people posting their pictures.

“With all the sad things in today’s world, I like to think of this plot of the good earth as a place where people can come for serenity and peace; it started as a way for me to draw attention to the business which gets blocked by the cornfield but it has taken on a life of its own,” Frey said.

There are thousands of sunflowers in the field. Photographers come, bridal parties come to get their wedding pictures taken there. Some just want to bring cheer and happiness to a church picnic or a supper table.

BARRY TAGLIEBER — FOR MEDIANEWS GROUP Many of the sunflowers grow tall in the field.

BARRY TAGLIEBER — FOR MEDIANEWS GROUP Families enjoy walking through the vast field of Sunflowers off Route 23 in Elverson.

BARRY TAGLIEBER — FOR MEDIANEWS GROUP New sunflowers are planted every year by owner Rick Frey and helpers.