FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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APPLE, PEACH, and PUMPKIN FAQ
|
QUESTION |
ANSWER |
|
Is there an
admission charge to visit the farm? |
NO. Not during apple season. See below in the
Strawberry FAQ section strawberry picking policies. During our apple season you pay only for
the fruit that you pick or the attractions that you visit. Apples are sold by the bag. Peaches are sold by the box. Pumpkins are sold by the pound. Strawberries are sold by the pound and a
per-person admission fee is required. |
|
How much
does it cost to pick apples? |
Half-bushel,
approx. 20 lbs., $25 One
peck, approx. 10 lbs., $17 |
|
How much
does it cost to pick pumpkins? |
0.60 cents per pound, from the patch or from
the stand adjacent to the apple shop. |
|
How much
does it cost to pick peaches? |
One
peck, approx. 14 lbs., $23 |
|
How much
does it cost for the kid’s attractions? |
All
day “fun pass” includes unlimited admission for one child for the day to the
moon bounce, hay maze, hay mountain, pedal tractors, and tractor play area,
$5. There is no charge to visit the
farm animals. There is no charge for
parents to enter the play areas with children. |
|
How much do hay rides cost? |
Hay
rides cost $2 per person, for a 15 minute hay wagon tour of the orchards. |
|
How much do
pony rides cost? |
Pony
rides cost $5 each. |
|
Do you
accept credit cards? |
YES. Mastercard, Visa,
and AMEX. We now accept credit cards
at all point of sale locations on the farm, including the field pick your own
sales area! |
|
How do we
access the orchard and picking areas after arriving? |
On
weekends, visit the pick your own greeting area adjacent to the large field
where the big yellow sign says “Welcome to Shelburne Farm”. They will help you to get started, and will
provide picking bags as well as directions. All of the orchard is within
walking distance and is accessible on foot.
Most of our terrain is level for easy walking and easy access from the
parking areas. |
|
Where can I
get your famous cider doughnuts? |
Visit
the apple shop. MMMMMMMM Doughnuts. |
|
How big is |
A
little over 50 acres |
|
I’m hosting
my child’s birthday party at |
Please
check in with the apple shop when you arrive and ask for the shop
supervisor. He or she will process
your final payment and get you started with the party package you have
reserved. |
|
I’m
attending a birthday party at |
Visit
the cheerful looking red and white striped party tents adjacent to the large
field and parking area. These tents
host birthday parties on weekend mornings. |
|
Can we
bring a picnic lunch? |
Yes,
or if you prefer you can choose from our lunch menu on the farm stand
concession. |
|
Do you have
picnic tables available? |
Yes. Picnic tables are available on a
first-come, first-served basis. A
limited number of tables are available by reservation for a non-refundable
hourly rental FEE. Please call the
shop 978-897-9287 to book |
|
I’ve never
been on an apple picking adventure.
How does it work at |
If
you arrive on a weekend, just visit the pick your own greeting area adjacent
to the parking lot. The friendly
farmers in there will help you to get started. All you really need to do is purchase a
bag, get directions, and go on your way to begin picking. If
you visit us on a weekday, just visit the apple shop. One of the friendly farmers in the shop
will help you to get started. |
|
Are
reservations required for pick-your-own? |
NO. Reservations are not required for for pick your own apples, peaches, or pumpkins. |
|
Are
reservations required for birthday parties? |
Yes,
if you want to reserve our tent or take advantage of one of our birthday
packages. |
|
Are
reservations required for school tours? |
Yes,
if you want to take advantage of one of our school tour packages. Please call or email to inquire about
availability. |
|
What’s the
best apple for … ? |
Depends
on what’s in season. Ask in the apple
shop or pick your own barn when you pick up your bag. |
|
Do you
allow dogs? |
Dogs
are no longer allowed in the orchard at Shelburne Farm for sanitary reasons. |
|
Do you
offer pick-your-own Strawberries? |
Yes,
we will reopen our Strawberry patches beginning in June and July of
2010. Check this site for details
closer to the date. |
|
Do you
offer cut-your-own Christmas Trees? |
Not
this year, but we plan to offer cut-your-own Christmas trees in 2011. Check our site closer to Thanksgiving for
details. |
BIRTHDAY PARTY FAQ
|
QUESTION |
ANSWER |
|
Do you
offer birthday party packages? |
YES. Read all about them HERE, including a
schedule of fees and party policies. |
|
Do you
charge for adult guests? |
NO. There is no charge for adult party
guests. Adult guests may optionally
purchase their own individual picking bags, concession food items, and/or hay
ride tickets from the apple shop or apple tent on the day of the party, but
they are not required to do so. |
|
May we
bring our own cake or other food to the party? |
YES,
you may. We encourage you to consider
purchasing food and beverages from our farm stand concession (cider
doughnuts, hot and cold cider, gourmet coffee, farm-fresh ice cream,
etc.). But you are not required to do
so. You are able to pre-order concession items from the farm stand on the day
of booking and include the cost in your pre-paid deposit. |
|
Are parents
of party guests allowed to accompany their children on the hay ride wagon? |
YES, certainly, provided they purchase a hay ride ticket or receive a hay ride ticket from the
host’s party package, which includes a total of 12 hay ride tickets. Additional tickets may be purchased on the
day of the party for $2 each. |
|
What is the
general procedure on the day of the party? |
Check
in at the apple shop on the morning of the party. Please arrive at least 10 minutes prior to
the start of the party. The clerk will
take an impression of your credit card, obtain your signature, provide you
with the party package items, and then direct you to the party tent. |
|
What is the
party schedule? |
The
only scheduled item is your time slot in the party tent, which is limited to
90 minutes. If you have booked a |
|
How do
party guests access the farm’s attractions and entertainment? |
Paid
birthday party guests are able to use their “fun passes” to access the moon
bounce, hay maze, hay mountain, and pedal tractors during normal operating
hours on the day of the party.
Similarly paid guests are also able to redeem their hay ride ticket
for a single hay ride at any time during normal operating hours on the day of
the party. Guests may visit the “fun
pass” attractions as often as they like.
One hay ride ticket is good for a single ride only. One pony ride ticket is good for a single
ride only. All attractions are shared
among all farm guests. To ensure the
safety and comfort of |
|
Are my
child’s siblings, the siblings of other guests, or the parents of other
guests permitted to attend the party? |
YES. You will receive party package items for
all paid guests. The starter (minimum)
package includes 1 each of the listed items for 10 guests. Beyond the 10, any additional unpaid guests
may attend the party but will not be able to pick apples, pumpkins, or access
any of the farm attractions. You may
purchase additional packages or ala carte items on the day of the party as needed. |
|
Does |
NO. The |
|
How much is
the deposit required to book a party? |
The
minimum deposit for party package #1 is $149.
For package #2 the minimum deposit is $169. |
|
Is the
party deposit refundable? |
No. Party deposits are charged at the time of
booking and are non-refundable, regardless of the circumstances. No exceptions. |
|
Can a party
be rescheduled? |
YES,
subject to availability of space and other farm constraints, but we cannot
guarantee availability of the party tent on a make-up date. We will provide picnic tables for
rescheduled parties. |
STRAWBERRY FAQ
|
QUESTION |
ANSWER |
|
How much
does it cost to pick my own strawberries from the |
Prices
are subject to change without notice.
For Tuesday June 7, 2011 pricing: $3 per person admission + $4 per
pound of picked berries. Admission fee
is non-refundable but is applied towards total purchase. For example three
pickers admitted for $9 with purchase of 3 pounds or $12 of berries would
have $9 applied towards $12 total purchase at checkout time. You are
encouraged to bring your own picking container, however we also offer small
quart containers for 0.50 each or large trays for $2 each. Check in at the small farm stand with the
green roof in the big field when you arrive for picking information and
directions. |
|
I love
fresh strawberries but am in a hurry today.
Do you have fresh-picked berries in the apple shop ready to pick up
and take home? |
YES! We pick our own strawberries every morning
and make them available for purchase on the stand. |
|
What about
the kids’ attractions? |
None
during Strawberry season. Come back
during Apple Season beginning in August 2011. |
|
Do you
accept credit cards? |
YES.
Mastercard, Visa, and AMEX. |
|
Can I still
pick even during rainy weather? |
YES. The only time we close the patch is when
thunderstorms are in the area. Otherwise
you may pick under any conditions. |
|
How do we
access the strawberry patch after arriving? |
Drive
down to the big field and visit the small farm stand with the green
roof. |
|
I’ve never
picked strawberries before. How does
it work? |
Don’t
worry, it’s quick, easy, and lots of fun.
Visit the small farm stand in the field when you arrive to get a
picking lesson. The staff will provide
you with a picking container, direct you to the patch, and send you on your
on your way. After filling your containers
return to the shop to weigh out and pay for your bounty. |
|
Are dogs
allowed? |
NO. Due to health and insurance regulations, we
cannot allow dogs in the orchard, strawberry patch or apple shop. |
|
How big is |
A
little over 50 acres |
|
I love your
fall apple picking birthday party packages.
Do you offer summer strawberry picking parties? |
NO,
we do not offer birthday parties during the summer months. These are offered only during apple
harvest. |
|
Are reservations
required for pick-your-own? |
NO. Reservations are not required. |
|
We love
your pony rides, hay rides, hay maze, birthday parties, and other fall
attractions. Will they be back in the
fall? |
YES. Our full list of attractions will return for
the fall harvest, including pony rides, hay rides, the hay maze, moon bounce,
pedal tractors, and other activities you have visited during past fall
harvest seasons. |
More
Questions?
Contact us via email
office@shelburnefarm.com
or by phone
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Page Last Updated Fri, July. 25, 2008,