Many of you know Prince William County as a prosperous suburb outside Washington, D.C. However, there is a significant portion of Prince William that has not strayed too far from its agricultural roots.
Enjoy a day or two celebrating that rural Prince William as part of the annual Wild Western Prince William County Farm Tours on Sat., Sept 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sun. Sept 30 from noon to 4 p.m.
The tour features ten nearby agricultural locations, including five Gainesville and three Nokesville farms and other location in an around Bristow.
The selection of farms provides a diverse offering, whether you are looking for a farm stand, pumpkin patch, petting zoo or children’s activities. Regardless of your expectations, expect to be surprised by what is going on in the world of agriculture and “agrowtainment” in our county.
Visit as many or a few as locations would like from the comfort of your vehicle. Parking areas are designated at each stop and there will be bright yellow signs to guide you along the way. Children are invited under adult supervision and farmers ask that people are extra careful around crops, other vegetation, animals or livestock. No pets are permitted. The event is free and will be held rain or shine. Information on each location provided below:
Start off your tour on the eastern end of Bristow at the Old Brentsville Courthouse, now Prince William Brenstville Historic Center. Children can try their hands at cracking corn and making corn husk dolls. There will also be farm animals and history re-enactors.
At Evergreen Acres in Nokesville you can see Prince William's largest Christmas tree farm, or if you like to take your holidays sequentially, start by checking out their pumpkin patch.
Learn about something new about local sustainable farming at Smith Family Farm, a fifth generation working farm located near the Manassas Battlefield. It produces grass-fed meat, eggs and more.
Hungry for something fresh? Yankey Farms at 13007 Vint Hill Road in Gainesville is a fresh produce market farm, which operates two road-side stands, a strawberry patch in the spring, pumpkin patch in the fall and a corn maze. Pick your own pumpkin now through the end of October.
Are you a philly fanatic? Blue Top Farm in Nokesville, just a short distance from Vint Hill Road, boards amateur owner sports horses. Come out to see and pet the horses. Activities are also planned especially for children.
When it’s time for lunch. It’s time to stop at Oak Dale Baptist Church in Nokesville, conveniently located between Yankey and Blue Top. Enjoy hotdogs, hamburgers, cookie and chips on the grounds of the 152 year-old church and fun activities for children.
Clover Meadow Farm at 15618 Vint Hill Rd, Gainesville has something out of the ordinary- alpacas and llamas! Meet 50 alpacs and three llamas on this peaceful farm that is sure to be a smile to a child’s face.
At Stoney Lonesome Farm in Gainesville learn how to live on a small scale or learn the benefits of organic growing. Buy freshly harvested produce and take a farm tour, even volunteer your time picking fresh vegetables, herbs and flowers. Plus see somle awfully cute animals.
Something for the adults- Perhaps if you do not consider yourself a country gal or guy, you may enjoy fine dining, including a fine selection of wines. In which case, enjoy a visit to The Winery at La Grange. The entire property will be open for the farm tour, and wine tasting will be available for a small fee.
For the artist in you, we recommend Lynn Vale Farms and Studio on 4475 Sudley Road, Gainesville! It is a unique flower farm with for those with a taste for the aesthetic. This farm features a working art workshop and studio. Tour the farm, shop at the farmers market and tour the art studio. It is sure to be an experience for all the senses.
Come see extreme makeover horse farm edition and meet some of the luckiest horses in Prince William, or play “healthy water hopscotch” to learn more about how to help the Chesapeake Bay at Oakwood Farms.
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