Christmas on Apple Hill Farm Begins November 21

Story by Corinne Saunders

Two donkeys share holiday greetings last year during Christmas at Apple Hill Farm. Photo submitted

Want To Go?

Date: November 21, 22, 27, 28 and 29 and December 5, 6, 12 and 13
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Apple Hill Farm, 400 Apple Hill Road, Banner Elk
Cost: mini-tour $5 adults/$3 children under 10/free children under 3

‘Tis (nearly) the season at Apple Hill Farm, located off Highway 194 at 400 Apple Hill Road in Banner Elk. Christmas on Apple Hill Farm takes place on Saturday and Sunday, November 21 and 22, Friday to Sunday, November 27 to 29, Saturday and Sunday, December 5 and 6 and Saturday and Sunday, December 12 and 13, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day.

Last year was the first year the event took place, and “it was very successful,” said Lee Rankin, owner of the farm.

Christmas trees and custom-made wreaths will be available for purchase, as will gift items offered at the Apple Hill Farm Store.

A half-hour walking tour of the farm is available, and participants on the mini-tour will see llamas, alpacas, donkeys, goats, horses and chickens, Rankin said.

The mini-tour fee is $5 for adults and $3 for children under 10. Children under 3 are free. No tour reservations are required; interested persons can simply show up anytime between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on event days, Rankin said.

The farm will be decorated for the holidays, and homemade hot chocolate, hot apple cider and cookies will be available.

The farm is located on a mountaintop and offers great scenery, Rankin said.

“A lot of people come take their Christmas photo up here,” she said. “The animals add another dimension.”

Local tree growers will provide the Christmas trees for sale, and local wreathmakers will create wreaths to order. Customers can choose a bow from a tree that will be covered in bows and can specify other decorations, too.

New this year will be handmade ornaments for sale. The selection will be featured on a tree in the Apple Hill Farm Store and include everything from knit alpaca ornaments to hand-blown glass ornaments, Rankin said.

On event days, follow the red Apple Hill Farm signs from either Banner Elk or Valle Crucis.

For more information, call 828-963-1662 or click to www.applehillfarmnc.com.