Southport Magazine

Llama-drawn carriage rides, a live nativity scene and much more at Greenlands Farm’s Winter Fest December 5th

BY: LISA P. STITIES

Imagine luminaires lighting a path through the woods and lights strung throughout a homestead farm. There’s a Yule fire, really a bonfire, where children and adults can sip hot chocolate and roast marshmallows for s’mores. Add live music, Christmas carols and a live Nativity scene and it sounds like the perfect way to start the holiday season off right. And it’s right up the road in Bolivia.
The Greenlands Farm Winter Fest is December 5 from 5 to 8 p.m. The farm is at 668 Midway Road SE, Bolivia. It’s a family affair at the Greenlands Farm, and mother and daughter Heather Burkert and Maud Kelley say the Winter Fest is a great opportunity to show off the farm and celebrate the Christmas season.

“It’s my favorite event to do because it’s so peaceful, and it’s what the season is about,” Kelley said.

This is the third year for the festival at the homestead farm, which has been in business for five years. Winter Fest is a family event, with activities, food and drink for all ages. But it’s also a fundraiser for one of the farm’s main functions – animal rescue. Kelley said that a lot of people don’t realize that farm animals need rescue services too. Money raised will help “keep the animals fed and happy through the winter,” she explained. She said the farm is a small one, but they are able to keep enough animals to help them teach others.

“We teach them about farming and how the animals used, because they actually play a big part of our sustainability on the farm,” Kelley said. The farm family hosts classes and workshops on a variety of topics throughout the year.

The animals also have their own role in Winter Fest by participating in the live nativity scene. There will even be a “sleigh” ride, a carriage adorned with jingle bells pulled by a llama instead of reindeer. Santa Claus himself will also take time from his busy schedule to make an appearance.
Inside the Farm Store, there will be a story corner where children can sit and listen to Christmas stories. There will also be crafts for the kids. There will be mulled cider, popcorn balls and mulled wine for the adults.
“It’s a special time of year and we wanted to share that,” Burkert said. “It’s a very warm, cozy event.”
Kelley said the family started the homestead farm as way to show people that it’s possible to live off the land. The Farm Store offers all kinds of homemade and locally grown foods and produce, including ready-to-go fresh sandwiches, sides, and salads; farm-made, and-dipped ice cream and smoothies; fresh-brewed organic coffee and tea; baked goods and breads; custom-made cakes (in-store and made to order); preserves; farm fresh milk (grass fed, hormone/antibiotic free); farm fresh eggs (free range, hormone/antibiotic free); organic flours and sugar; organic coffee and teas (by the ounce); honey (from the farm’s bees); packaged beef, heritage pork and chicken (hormone/antibiotic free, North Carolina raised); organic fruits and seasonal vegetables; and weekly organic veggie box subscriptions.
Kelley said there will also be holiday goodies available in the store.

Admission is free, but tickets are required for the sleigh ride and viewing the nativity scene. Tickets will be available at the event but Burkert encourages people to buy them in advance. The cost is $12 at the farm and only $10 in advance if purchased online.

Go to http://www.greenlandsfarmstore.info/winterfest/ for more information and to purchase tickets. A rain date is scheduled for December 6, just in case. No outside food or coolers are permitted but festival goers are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets to sit outside and listen to music. One-man-band Herb Harton will be playing various instruments and singing.

“When you do things at night, they just become more special,” Kelley said. It just creates an atmosphere more special than during the day. With the woods and the lights, it’s kind of simple, but I think if you do things simple, it’s actually better.”