Bluemont, VA – Great Country Farms (GCF) opens on April 5 & 6, 2014 with its 11th Annual Easter Egg Hunt and Marshmallow Harvest. This popular family event starts the U-Pick season at Great Country Farms, a favorite destination for fun on the farm. Separate hunts by age group are designed to give the littlest hunters a better opportunity to find eggs in age appropriate areas. Adjacent Bluemont Vineyard is kicking off spring with their annual 951 Hill Run on Sunday April 6 and offers farm wine tastings with adult admission to GCF.
“The marshmallow is quite an unusual crop and matures on or about April 1st each year like clockwork,” said farmer, Kate Zurschmeide, “Marshmallow picking is one of the season’s most popular harvests for the whole family.” The Zurschmeide Family has been farming in Loudoun for over 40 years and first generation Loudoun famer, Bob Zurschmeide, will be hosting the annual bonfire so visitors may roast their harvest right away. “There is nothing like a freshly roasted marshmallow plucked from our trees,” Bob Zurschmeide said. The marshmallows for picking are located inside each hunt area so the children can hunt eggs and pick marshmallows at the same time.
In celebration of spring and the beginning of egg laying season, there will be four Egg Hunts each day this year. The hunts for the older children are fast and furious so guests will want to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the start of their hunt to be sure not to miss the fun. It is not recommended for little ones to join the older age groups as adults are not permitted in the hunt area for the 5-6 year old and the 7-10 year old hunts. There will be over 18,000 treat filled eggs to find spread across the hunts and “golden” eggs with special prizes from Alamo Theater in Winchester and Harper’s Ferry Adventure Center for the older children and farm parties, passes, and goodies for the little ones. Each child will receive a red u-pick bucket courtesy of Northern Virginia Magazine to gather their eggs.
Hunt times Both Saturday & Sunday:
11:00am 2 yrs and under
11:30am 3-4 yr olds
1:00 pm 5-6 year olds
1:30pm 7-10 year olds
The annual Easter Egg Hunt & Marshmallow Harvest is also opening day for Great Country Farms. The farm is a destination for u-pick fruits and vegetables and family fun featuring cow train rides ($2 each), a farm animal barnyard, mazes, slides, swings and wagon rides to tour the u-pick fields. Fan of the Farm season passes include admission for the entire 31 week season, and a 10% discount on all U-Pick, market, and farm parties for only $149.00.
The farm’s market will be filled with new jams, jellies and goodies to welcome spring. The Roosteraunt will be serving Cider Donuts, Burgers, BBQ & Kettle Corn from 10am to 4pm.
Event Details
Saturday & Sunday April 5 & 6;
Open daily 10am-5pm. Bonfire from 11am-4pm
Admission:
$12/Adult includes a farm wine tasting at adjacent Bluemont Vineyard.
$10.00/child includes marshmallows and roasting sticks and a red picking bucket to gather eggs and bring back for u-pick all season.
Will Call Advance Tickets $10 each ~ Save $2/adult ticket
Children 2 and under FREE and receive a small u-pick bucket.