The Red Barn Farm at the Columbia Wetlands Outpost in Parson has opened its doors to those looking to enjoy the fall weather in the mountains.
Located about 45 minutes south of Golden along Highway 95, the farm has long been a staple of fall and the harvest in the Columbia Valley.
This year, things are looking a bit different due to COVID -19 restrictions, but the farm is still excited to welcome people on Saturdays and Sundays throughout October.
Guests are asked to pre-register online, so that the farm can control crowds to minimize the risk of potential COVID-19 exposure.
“I think everyone should get outside and enjoy these days while we have them, we’re having a beautiful fall and Parson is a great place to come to,” said Mark Teasdale, one of the owners and operators of the farm.
“It’s just so nice to be out here. It’s really fun to be able to share our space and see our guests enjoy themselves and come spend the day.”
According to Teasdale, the farm is offering a wide variety of fall activities and programming, such as wagon rides, a pumpkin patch and wreath making with dried hops from their harvest two weeks ago.
Guests are also able to walk around the farm up to the water falls, or down the board walk to take in the wetlands.
While the farm would normally be hosting a fall harvest festival, Teasdale said they decided not to offer that this year. For those planning on visiting the farm, masks are not required, as Teasdale says everything is spaced out in line with Dr. Bonnie Henry’s saying of “fewer faces, bigger spaces.”
“They’re only necessary if you feel you need to wear it,” said Teasdale.
“If you’re going to be in the barn, potentially that’s going to be a place that you want to wear one, but we’re not expecting high volumes of traffic since people are booking through our website.”
Teasdale also says there will be plenty of hand sanitizer on site to make sure people are staying safe.
He said wagons will be sprayed down after every ride and there’s plenty of parking so that people don’t have to park in close proximity to one another.
While COVID has definitely changed their usual operations, Teasdale says it hasn’t impacted them as much as they had originally anticipated.
“Because of the wide open spaces, it’s been easier for us to manage and feel comfortable in a family environment,” said Teasdale.
“We’ve had a comfortable amount of guests through the summer and now fall and we’re doing our best to show those guests some good energy.”
The farm is open Thursdays, Saturdays and Sunday through to Oct. 23. Admission is $10, with wreath making classes available starting at $75.