Annual Easter Egg Hunt and Marshmallow Harvest

Great Country Farms Opens for the 2010 Season with its Annual Easter Egg Hunt and Marshmallow Harvest
 
Bluemont, VA…Great Country Farms, located in Bluemont, VA, will open for the 2010 season on March 27, 2010 with its 7th Annual Easter Egg Hunt and Marshmallow Harvest.  This popular family event also starts off the U-pick fruit and vegetable season at Great Country Farms, Loudoun County’s popular destination for fun on the farm for the whole family. The farm will be open daily from 9 am to 6 pm during the 2010 season which runs from March 27 – Nov. 8, 2010.  Visitors to the farm will be able to harvest marshmallows from 10 am -1 pm and then roast them on a bonfire. The first of three Easter Egg Hunts will commence at 1 pm for children under 3 years of age, followed by the hunts for the older ones aged 4-6 years and 7-10 years. 
 
 “The marshmallow is quite an unusual crop and matures on or about April 1 each year like clockwork.”  said Great Country Farms’ co-owner and 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 County for over 36 years. First generation Loudoun farmer, Bob Zurschmeide, will be hosting the annual bonfire where visitors are invited to roast their freshly harvested marshmallows.  “There is nothing like a freshly roasted marshmallow plucked from our trees,” said Bob Zurschmeide.
 
In celebration of spring and the beginning of the egg laying season, there will be three Egg Hunts this year with over 3000 treat-filled eggs. The introduction of a separate hunt for children aged 3 and under is designed to give the smallest participants a safe and unhurried atmosphere in which to hunt for eggs. The hunts for the older children are always fast and furious and attract large crowds. Participants should bring their own baskets and plan to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the start of their hunt, so that they do not miss out on the fun.          
 
Hunt times:
 
                        1 pm sharp                for children 3 and under
                        1:30 pm sharp           for children  aged 4-6 years
                        2 pm sharp                for children aged 7-10 years
 
The third generation of Loudoun-raised Zurschmeides will be helping to direct the Marshmallow Harvest and Easter Egg Hunts this season.
 
The annual Easter Egg Hunts, Marshmallow Peep Maze and the marshmallows to roast on the bonfire are included in the general admission price to Great Country Farms. Daily admission is $8/person, with no charge for children under 2.  Admission for Fans of the Farm season pass holders and CSA members is also free of charge.
 
Great Country Farms offers a Fan of the Farm season pass for $ 149.00 plus tax. This pass is valid for the entire 31 week season at the farm. Even with just one visit per month for a family of four, the pass will pay for itself within four months. For a list of many other discounts associated with the Fan of the Farm pass, including discounts on birthday parties and the farm’s 14 annual festivals, please visit www.greatcountryfarms.com. This pass is available at the farm or can be ordered online.
 
Included in the general admission price are the many farm attractions, including the farm animal barnyard, mazes, slides, swings  and hayrides to tour the U-pick fields. Rides on the cow train are available for $ 2 pp.
 
The farm’s Country Store will be filled with a wide variety of new jams, jellies and goodies to welcome spring, and the “Roosterante” will serve burgers, bbq & kettle corn from 11 am to 4 pm.
 
Date:               Saturday, March 27, 2010
 
Farm Hours: 9 am – 6 pm
Marshmallow picking 10 am – 1 pm, while supplies last.
Bonfire 11 am – 4 pm
                        Easter Egg Hunts:   1 pm (3 yrs and under)
                                                            1:30 pm (4-6 yrs)
                                                            2:00 pm (7-10 yrs)
 
Admission:    $8.00/person (includes marshmallows and roasting sticks and participation 
in Easter Egg Hunts for children aged 0 – 10 yrs.)
Children 2 and under, CSA and Fan of the Farm members – free of charge.
 
 
 
 
Great Country Farms is a family owned and operated U-pick fruit and vegetable farm located in the town of Bluemont in western Loudoun County. For more information regarding the farm and upcoming events, visit www.greatcountryfarms.com or contact the farm at 540-554-2073.  Become a fan of Great Country Farms on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@thefarmersays) for regular updates.