Holiday Hayrides return for another round

Published 7:25 pm Thursday, December 1, 2016

Christmas is in full swing at Raised in a Barn Farm.

Along with the Breakfast with Santa events that kicked off last week, and the farm hayrides and Storytime with Santa, the Raised in a Barn Farm is continuing another tradition in downtown Washington.

Holiday Hayrides are returning for a third year, and Raised in a Barn Farm is working to get the restaurants and businesses downtown involved.

“We wanted to create a tradition downtown that everyone could come and get in the spirit of Christmas,” farm owner Jane Boahn said. “We’re trying to encourage the businesses downtown to participate. … It will enhance the whole downtown area.”

Last year, more than 1,000 participants came out for the hayrides in a three-day period, so Boahn said organizers decided to make it five days this year, from Dec. 19-23.

With Santa, his elves and the Grinch in tow, riders will take a 20-minute trip starting and ending back at the Turnage Theatre on Main Street. The ride also includes an optional stop at Wine and Design on Water Street for cocoa, cookies and crafts for an extra $5.

“We wanted to make sure that we could help it grow each year,” Boahn said.

She said the intent is to make Holiday Hayrides an unofficial promotion of Washington — visitors can eat at one of the downtown restaurants, go on a hayride and then do some shopping, making it a full evening affair.

Boahn said the event has been a popular one, and she hopes it will become an annual tradition. She said visitors come from the surrounding county and beyond to experience the hayrides.

“Most everyone who has done it in the past has come back again,” Boahn said.

Holiday Hayrides will run every evening from Dec. 19-23 in 30-minute intervals. Cost is $5. To purchase tickets, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/holiday-hayrides-downtown-washington-nc-dec-19-23-tickets-29347555328. To view other events at the farm, visit www.raisedinabarnfarm.com.