Crooked Pines celebrates holidays with farm charm
Crooked Pines Farm will once again celebrate the holidays in style with a special celebration to bring families even closer together. Angela and Duncan Criscoe had no idea when they opened their farm to the public that the response and joy from the community would be overwhelming. The family is intent on creating strong family memories and hosting events that the entire family can enjoy.
On Saturday, the farm will host a Holiday Celebration, complete with hay rides, local vendors and even a visit from the jolliest gift giver: Santa Claus.
“We are really looking forward to our holiday celebration this year,” Angela Criscoe said. “During the day, we will have Santa’s SleigHayrides through Santa’s Christmas town which will be magical, and our local vendors will be selling handmade and local items.”
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available to take pictures with little ones and listen to Christmas requests from 1 until 4 p.m. A craft table will be set up for visitors to create their own Christmas crafts that make great gifts. Each craft differs in price from $1 to $5.
“We will also have ornaments that can be customized per person or family, and we will be serving hot chocolate and hot cider to keep everyone in the Christmas spirit,” Criscoe said.
As an additional treat to visitors, up and coming country music artist Trent Mayo will perform original songs and classic favorites from 1 until 4 p.m. Families can also pick out their favorite freshly cut North Carolina Fraiser Fir tree, ranging from 4 feet to 12 feet. One of the benefits of a Fraiser Fir is that the tree will hold on to its greenery through the season provided it is kept watered and kept from excessive heat. Fraser Firs were chosen because of their sturdy branches, short needles, balanced shape, and of course, the ever-present pine aroma. The tree farm is complete with hanging exposed bulbs, just like your own childhood memories, to help light the way to find your ideal holiday tree. This is the second year the Criscoe’s have set up a tree farm for customers.
Every Friday in Dec., the Criscoes are hosting “Family Fun on the Farm.” The fire pit will be roaring, and special Fire Pit Kits will be sold inside the Old Country Store. The kits include a hotdog, chips, a drink and materials to make S’mores.
“Our guests get to be their own chef and created their meal by the fire pit. We’re trying to build memories. This is a family business, and it brings us even closer as a family. We really hope that this will become a tradition for other families as well,” Criscoe said.
Crooked Pines Farm is open to school groups during the week and features lesson plans to help school children learn about farm life, vegetation and animals. The farm is open on the weekends from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and the Christmas tree lot is open seven days a week. The Holiday Celebration begins at 10 a.m. and will end at 6 p.m. on Saturday. Admission to the farm is free of charge.
“We can’t wait to see everyone at the farm this Christmas season,” Criscoe said. “We hope families will have fun at our Holiday Celebration and make new memories this season.”
Crooked Pines Farm is located at 355 Harmony Rd. and can be reached by phone at (706) 347-0274 or on the web at crookedpinesfarm.com.