By Sonja Keith

Faith is literally abloom each spring among thousands of daffodils on Wye Mountain in Perry County.

Just ask Sue Gildner, a community leader and member of the Wye United Methodist Church. She also serves as co-chairmen of the daffodil festival held each spring that raises money for the church.
“We have as many as 10,000 parked in every direction, trying to get as close as they can get,” she said.
Many travel from throughout Arkansas each spring – many with cameras in hand and others with picnic baskets in tow – to take in the spectacular sight. Held over two weekends, organizers wait each year to judge when the blooms will be at their peak before announcing festival dates.
While this year’s festival has already come and gone, Sue is quick to offer an invitation to those who would like to attend the Easter sunrise service held at the cross in the field.
Daffodils on Wye Mountain began in the late 1940s, according to Sue, when Austin Harmon leased the property from the church and hired ladies in the community to plant the bulbs. “When they started blooming, they would pick the flowers and they were sold to TG&Y stores in several states. A portion of the money would be given back to the church.
“After he died, the field was opened up to the public.”
Betty Harmon also serves as co-chairman of the festival. Her husband, Charles, was 16 when his grandfather – Austin Harmon – hired him to plough the original rows for the daffodil bulbs. Betty and Sue have been chairmen of the festival since it started, about 20 years ago.
Today, money from the sell of flowers ($1 per dozen from a marked area) and bulbs – as well as souvenir postcards – benefits the 50-member church. The field has over 40 varieties of daffodils.
Several organizations, like the Home Extension Club at Wye, are involved in the festival, according to Sue, and special activities include a barbecue dinner and craft fair. “Each organization tries to make enough to take care of their needs for the next year, but the church comes first.”
There is no admission charge to walk among the flowers, although donations are accepted. Professional photographers in the area will also use the field for portrait sittings, and will make a donation to the church. “Every little bit we get helps.”
Sue recalls one year that there was ice before the festival weekend that killed all of the flowers. “We didn’t have a bloom one,” she said, explaining that the church received “pity money” from individuals who still showed up. She also remembers a time or two when a storm would blow through.
Oftentimes, church members invite festival-goers to join them for Sunday morning services, and some take them up on their offer. “We ring the bell and invite them to join us.”
Despite the unpredictable weather and the many, many hours involved, Sue points out that it is their faith that brings the Wye community together to plan the festival and care for the field as well as each other.