South Williamstown Businesses To Celebrate Merger With Kick-Off Event
 A view of the east side of Green River Farm. |
His vision will become a reality on Saturday when Green River Farms and The Store at Five Corners host "Family Fun Day" from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. It will serve as a kick-off event to celebrate the merger between to the two entities. Lewis is a stakeholder in Berkshire Corners LLC, which acquired The Store at Five Corners in July 2009.
Kira Guidon, the director of marketing and sales at Green River Farms, said Saturday's "Fun Day" will showcase the vast activities offered by both South Williamstown businesses, and it will provide visitors an up-close look into the cultivation of a farm.
"[Lewis] is really driven. He essentially wants to make a community center that is based on public education of farming and agritourism," Guidon said. "When you look at all the farms that haven't been able to make it, how can you create a model that makes these farms sustainable? It starts with educating the public, and showing the value of buying locally grown."
Green River will provide a sampling of their products, while the Store at Five Corners will offer wine-and-cheese tasting on its patio deck.
But food and drink is just a small fraction of Saturday's attractions; there will be a petting farm, wagon trail rides (by tractor and horse), two bounce houses for children and live entertainment. A group of teenage break dancers will perform when the event kicks off at 11 a.m., and live music will be played throughout the day. Slated to perform are Liz Buchanan, Colby Lewis and local-favorite Jim Bayliss.
 The new playground at Green River Farms. |
"We wanted something that would, one, draw people in and, two, give the kids an opportunity to stay and play awhile," Guidon said. "We wanted to give the parents an opportunity to let their kids play, while parents can shop, they can sit, they can have a cup of coffee or have their lunch. We want to accommodate everyone."
One attraction that is meant to appeal to children, teenagers and adults is the petting farm, which has a few new additions: baby calves, pot-bellied pigs and a yak. Visitors will also have the opportunity to walk among the farm's goats and feed them.
Wagon rides will be free of charge for visitors on Saturday, offering a wide-array of scenic views of the farm, which consists of about 260 acres of land. The petting farm and wagon rides will be open to customers on a regular basis after "Family Fun Day."
 A baby yak named 'Dzo' hangs out with a pair of llamas on Wednesday. |
"It's fun, and it's an experience you don't get every day."
While some of Saturday's featured activities will be new additions, some have been attracting locals for years. Tina Beverly, of New Ashford, was sitting at one of the picnic tables in front of the petting farm Wednesday afternoon, spending time with members of her family, including her great-nephew.
"We came back all last summer," Beverly said. "There is a lot for the kids to do. You can just sit and visit, and nobody is rushing you to leave. We're excited about the new playground, and who doesn't like the animals?"
Guidon said Green River has outdoor grilling every weekend, which she says has been "attracting a lot of people the last couple weeks." The farm also hosts school-field trips and private parties.
