Get ready for a weekend of family fun and fresh, local goodness! Franklin Farms is excited to announce its upcoming "Berries in the Boro" Day, a two-day event celebrating the start of strawberry season and all things local.
Farm Manager Bill Renz, Social Media Manager and Event Planner Emma Heine, and Farm Stand Manager Shannon Jones shared the exciting details of the event, set to take place on Saturday, March 29th, from 10 AM to 6 PM, and Sunday, March 30th, from 12 PM to 6 PM.
Located in Statesboro at 10610 US Highway 301 South, Franklin Farms is opening its doors for a delightful experience for the whole community. Best of all, there's no cover charge to enter the festivities!
"We just want to have a good old fashioned family get down on the farm," said Bill Renz, emphasizing the welcoming atmosphere of the event.
A major highlight for families will be the free bounce houses available to children with the purchase of a U-pick strawberry basket. Imagine the joy of picking your own sweet, ripe strawberries and then letting the kids burn off some energy in the bounce houses!
But the fun doesn't stop there. Attendees can also look forward to hayrides and face painting, adding to the classic farm experience.
And what's a farm celebration without delicious treats? Franklin Farms will be offering a variety of sweet strawberry delights, including homemade strawberry pies and strawberry shortcakes. For those looking for something more substantial, several food vendors will be on site. Some of the vendors are:
- Meme Pops
- Amorcitas
- Painters Alley
- Lolly the Clown
- A.Nicole Lemonade & sweet treats
- Crazy Nay's will be giving away samples
- Our Franklin's booths
- Bounce Houses
- Hay Ride
Beyond the berries and the fun, Franklin Farms boasts a wonderful selection of other local products. Their farm stand will be open during regular hours that weekend (Saturday 9 AM to 6 PM, Sunday 11 AM to 6 PM) offering a bounty of fresh produce and locally sourced goods.
"We have some beautiful fruit trees and some flowers and stuff," noted Shannon Jones, highlighting their growing garden center. Visitors can find a variety of fruit trees like pomegranates, peaches, plums, pears, muscadines, fig trees, and blackberries, as well as edible plants. Inside the farm stand, shelves will be stocked with local produce such as lettuce, collards, and mustards (many grown right on the farm), along with local honey, cane syrup, popcorn, and olive oil. While it's a bit early for their own tomatoes, they will have tomatoes from Florida, local pork skins and chicken and duck eggs available.
The team at Franklin Farms is also mindful of their regular customers during this special event. "One issue in the past is that the regulars don't have a spot to park, so we have reserved some spots right up front for people who just want to go shopping that day," explained Bill Renz. They are taking steps to ensure a smooth experience for everyone visiting the farm.
Looking beyond the "Berries in the Boro" Day, Franklin Farms is excited for a promising strawberry season, which typically runs through May, depending on the weather. They even have an Easter event planned. Following the strawberry season, customers can look forward to U-pick opportunities for black berries and blue berries, tomatoes and other summer vegetables.
For those who can't make it to the farm stand for Berries in the Boro, Franklin Farms stand is open daily Monday - Saturday 9 AM to 6 PM, Sunday 11 AM to 6 PM. Located at 10610 US Highway 301 South.
Franklin Farms is a relatively young operation in the strawberry world, now in its third year. Bill Renz noted their growing reputation for their surprisingly sweet "winter berries," a testament to the unique way they cultivate their crops, taking advantage of the cooler weather that strawberries thrive in.
So mark your calendars for March 29th and 30th and head out to Franklin Farms for "Berries in the Boro" Day! It's sure to be a delightful weekend filled with fresh berries, family fun, and the best of what local agriculture has to offer right here in Statesboro.
