Annual Easter Egg Hunt and Marshmallow Harvest at Great Country Farms, Bluemont, VA on April 9 and 10, 2011

Bluemont, VA, March 31, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Great Country Farms, located in Bluemont, VA in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains about 35 miles from Washington DC, will host its first event of 2011, the very popular 8th Annual Easter Egg Hunt and Marshmallow Harvest, on April 9 and 10, 2011. This eagerly-awaited event has been extended to two days this year to allow more children to participate, and also signals the beginning of the u-pick fruit and vegetable season at Loudoun County’s premier destination for fun on the farm for the whole family. Visitors to the farm will be able to harvest marshmallows from 11 am -1 pm and then roast them on a bonfire with Farmer Bob. The first of three Easter Egg Hunts will commence at 1 pm each day for children under 3 years of age, followed by the hunts for the older ones aged 4-6 years and 7-10 years.

“One of the most popular harvests at Great Country Farms, the marshmallow is quite an unusual crop and matures on or about April 2 each year like clockwork,” said Great Country Farms’ co-owner and farmer, Kate Zurschmeide. “Children love to pick the soft fluffy “fruit” from the branches of the Marshmallow Peep trees and roast them with Farmer Bob.”

The Zurschmeide Family has been farming in Loudoun County for 37 years and have operated Great Country Farms for 18 seasons. First generation Loudoun farmer, Bob Zurschmeide, will again host 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, Great Country Farms has doubled the number of hunts offered and will host three Easter Egg Hunts on Saturday and on Sunday this year with over 3000 treat-filled eggs to be found each day. The introduction last year of a separate hunt for children aged 3 and under gives the smallest participants a safe 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 particular hunt, so that they do not miss out on any of 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 again this season.

The annual Easter Egg Hunts, Marshmallow Peep Harvest, marshmallows and sticks to roast on the bonfire are included in the general admission price to Great Country Farms. Daily admission is $12.00/adults, $10.00/children. There is no charge for children under 2. Admission for Fans of the Farm season pass holders, CSA members and Military ID holders is also free of charge.

Included in the general admission price are the many farm attractions, including the farm animal barnyard with new baby animals including piglets born on March 24th, mazes, slides, swings and hayrides. Rides on the cow train are available for $ 2 pp. A wine-tasting at neighboring Bluemont Vineyard is also included in the adult admission price.

As an incentive for families with children to visit and enjoy the farm on a regular basis, Great Country Farms offers a Fan of the Farm season pass for $149.00 plus tax for families of up to six people. This pass is valid for the entire 34 weeks of the 2011 season at the farm and allows for unlimited visits during that time. 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 for purchase at the farm or can be ordered online.

The brand new Farm Market 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.

There will also be live music on both days from noon – 4 pm.

Date: Saturday and Sunday, April 9 and 10, 2011
Farm Hours: 9 am – 6 pm
Marshmallow harvest 11 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: $12.00/adult, $ 10.00/child (includes marshmallows and roasting sticks and participation in Easter Egg Hunts for children aged 3 – 10 yrs.)

Children 2 yrs and under, CSA members, Fan of the Farm pass holders and Military ID card holders – no admission charge.

For more information please contact Great Country Farms at 540-554-2073 or go to www.greatcountryfarms.com. For regular updates on what is going on at the farm, regular u-pick updates and recipes, follow Great Country Farms on Facebook and Twitter.

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