Regular and Special Events

 One of the methods used by the Flying J Farm to promote our philosophy is through special events and festivals for urban people. Some of these events have live music and dancing. All of the warm-weather events include a hayride back to the lake for a bonfire. Children are encouraged at all regular events. The “entertainment barn” which has a pool table, hot tub, darts, and karoke, is always available for these events. The Flying J has been called an “entertainment farm” because of its four regular events and many one-time events each year.

The first regular event of the year, the third weekend in February, is the Maple Sugar Festival featuring tours of the sugarbush, demonstrations of identifying and taping trees, gathering sap, evaporating and bottling the syrup. Tastes of the syrup from the evaporator as well as in baked goods and pancakes are always a part of the festival.

Second, the fourth weekend in April is the Mushroom Hunt where we search for the exotic but elusive morel mushroom. This is the season for fresh wildflowers in the woods as well as many edible plants that can be gathered. The Flying J Farm is one place where you are encouraged to pick the flowers (except for the trilliums and creek lilies). Food is potluck featuring mushrooms.

Third, the third weekend in July is the Berry Picking Party. The woods are ringed with blackberries and a few raspberries, which are wonderful if you can get to them before the birds take them all. The food is potluck featuring fresh fruit and vegetables.

Fourth, the third weekend in September is the Fall Harvest Festival, the most popular event of the year. The garden harvest is nearly complete. The tomatoes, onions and peppers are just past their peak so there is lots of fresh salsa to go around. There is a large cookout on the homemade, hickory-fired grill and a healthy food potluck. Games include horseshoes, volleyball, croquet, and bale rolling. The hayride and bonfire are popular and many stay in tents for the night enjoying a pancake breakfast with real maple syrup in the morning.