Can’t decide whether to ride a train, pick farm-fresh fruits or shop
for friends? Well, you can do it all at Remlinger Farms in Carnation.
The family-run farm has been providing produce to Puget
Sound residents since 1949. Then in 1965, Gary and Bonnie Remlinger bought
the property from Gary’s father Floyd and the couple has been running the
business ever since.
Remlinger Farms is located just south of downtown Carnation
along State Route 203. The farm opens each May and offers family fun and
fresh food through October.
Over the years the business has changed from selling corn and
strawberries to providing entertainment for people of all ages.
“Our theme is to entertain kids of all ages,” said Bonnie
Remlinger. “We feel like we’re becoming like
a museum because there’s no family `grandma/grandpa farms’ that you
can visit.”
“And we want to be like that,” she added.
One of the main attractions at Remlinger Farms are the
“U-Pick” fruits. The season starts in June
with strawberries, followed by raspberries and blueberries in July, and
finally, pumpkins in October.
Once visitors have loaded their crates with freshly picked fruits,
they can venture to the market to buy frozen Remlinger Pies, produce and
specialty items from Washington. Adjacent to the market is a 2,000
square foot section where about 50 consignees display their handmade goods.
At the restaurant, people can choose from a selection of sandwiches, soups,
salads and pies.
But the fun doesn’t end there. Remlinger Farms also offers a
Country Farm Fair and Family Fun Park.
The entertainment area includes performances by James and his
Marionettes, a one-mile mini steam train ride around the property, a hay
maze and hay jump, a mini roller coaster, antique buses and fire trucks, a
canoe ride, inflatable toys and more. There is also a petting zoo full of
sheep, goats, pigs, turkeys, rabbits, ducks, chickens, alpacas, donkeys and
geese. Prices start at $5 and there is a discount for Valley residents.
The farm also has an area for company picnics and a special
room for birthdays and other celebrations.
With so much to do at Remlinger Farms, Bonnie Remlinger said that
the approximately 200,000 yearly visitors can’t decide what is the best
thing about the farm.
“Each person has their own specialty of what we’re known for.
People say it’s the pies, the strawberries, raspberries or the pumpkins,”
Remlinger said. “It just depends on who
you’re talking to.”
The park is open on weekends only, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
through June 25. From June 26 through Labor Day, the park will open daily
from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The market is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
through Oct. 31. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays
and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends.
For more information, call (425) 333-4135.
