Ticonderoga Farm: Bring the Kids

I've always been fascinated by the "mountain." From different vantage points in Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties you can see it, such as from the Altoplaza restaurant in Centreville, or from certain points along the Bull Run mountains. 

It isn't exactly attractive, per se, but it's interesting, since it's quite obviously man-made, it seems completely out of place, and it has about three or four small trees along the top of it. I had to find out what it was, so I spoke with Donna, one of the owners of Ticonderoga Farms.

"It's the dirt from your basement," she informed me, explaining how the mountain is the by-product of countless construction crews needing someplace to deposit their load.  "As they built all the neighborhoods in this area, they brought the dirt here. If you were to go up it, you'd see a number of different landings. Last year a couple got married on the top of it."

The mountain isn't typically open to the public, but is available for rent. It's one of the many attractions at Ticonderoga Farms, an eclectic, family-run farm that opens for various events throughout the year.

This weekend marks the start of the "Egg-stravaganza," which will have Easter Egg hunts, visits from the Easter bunny, pick-your-own daffodils, hayrides and more each weekend until Easter. Egg hunts are broken up by age.

"We have the Easter bunny gather the kids for the hunt. Usually the first weekend we'll have one hunt a day but after that we'll do two a day. We also have a 'golden-goose egg,' which will have a prize for whoever finds it."

They'll also have face-painting and a petting zoo, which this year features seven different newborns.

Ticonderoga farm is now in its fifth generation, and is ever resourceful at finding new ways to make money. While not as famous, perhaps, as neighboring Cox Farms, they have their own niche and appeal, especially, to small children. They also grow Christmas trees, fig trees and pumpkins and sell honey, jams and organic eggs.  For events, they have picnic shelters, slides, a swinging bridge, wishing well, swings, log cabins, a new tee-pee village, fire pits and countless surprises.

Throughout the year they find many reasons to open to the public, with the current spring festival running until Easter, plus summer, fall and winter events.

Hours are generally on the weekends, but they will open during the week for special events or groups.  "We accomodate the needs of the phone call," Donna informed me.  They are located just off Gum Springs Rd. north of Manassas, and are also accessible via Braddock Rd. or Loudoun County parkway near South Riding.

The spring festival runs each weekend until Easter. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Admission is $9.95, with children under 2 admitted free. To learn more, go to www.ticonderoga.com.