The holiday season is upon us and it’s time to deck the halls with festive garland, beautiful wreaths and of course the perfect Christmas tree. If you are craving the scent of natural balsam fir or Fraser fir look no further than The Forest Society’s Christmas Tree Farm at The Rocks located at 113 Glessner Road in Bethlehem. For over 35 years, The Rocks Christmas Tree Farm has welcomed families and visitors during the holiday season for cut-your-own trees, wreaths, gifts, and the quintessential holiday experience. Opening day this year is Saturday, November 23.
This year the season will kick off with the return of a Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, November 23. The craft fair, open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., will feature local makers, and this year is presented in partnership with WREN. The Rocks gift shop will also be open and decked out for the holidays. Between the two, find unique and handmade gifts perfect for everyone on your list.
This is the second year operating out of the new program center in the renovated Carriage Barn at Forest Society North at The Rocks. The program center features a gift shop, interactive exhibits on the magic of New Hampshire forests, and spectacular mountain views.
Described by many as a “modern-day Norman Rockwell Christmas scene,” The Rocks offers row upon row of perfectly shaped trees on its 40 acres of fields in Bethlehem. Jack Savage, president of the Society for the Protection of NH Forests, agrees. “For many Granite Staters and visitors, selecting and cutting down a Christmas Tree is a family tradition that creates treasured memories. We take that tradition seriously at The Rocks. Each one of our 26,000 trees was hand-pruned this summer, with thousands ready for harvesting. From mowing paths, to shearing and shaping the trees, to planting for the next year, care for the trees is a years-long endeavor, culminating in this most joyous season.”
Visitors can wander the farm in search of their perfect family tree. All trees this year will be cut-your-own, fresh-cut trees will not be offered. If visitors have any accessibility concerns and are not able to cut their own tree, please contact The Rocks at 603-444-6228. Unlike other tree farms, proceeds from The Rocks Christmas trees help support forest conservation across New Hampshire. And the tree you cut will be replaced in the spring with a new seedling that will be sequestering carbon and providing wildlife habitat for at least seven years, when it reaches harvest-size. Handmade wreaths of all sizes, garland, and kissing balls will be available through December 15.
This year visitors can enjoy a free horse-drawn wagon ride on Saturday, November 23; Friday-Sunday, November 29-December 1; Saturday and Sunday, December 7-8; and Saturday, December 14. Wagon rides are available on a first come, first served basis from 10-3:30. Fresh kettle corn will be available on November 29-December 1, December 7-8, and December 14. Each weekend day there will be a fire pit to warm up by, with s’mores kits and hot chocolate available for purchase in the Carriage Barn.
“There’s no better place to get into the holiday spirit than at the Forest Society’s Christmas Tree Farm at The Rocks,” adds Savage. “Since reopening the Carriage Barn, the Forest Society has really expanded our opportunity to be a part of the local community, offering more programing and inviting the public to enjoy this wonderful property through programs like Thursday Walks at The Rocks. This year we are excited to welcome back local vendors at our Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, November 23rd, offering visitors a unique opportunity to support local craftsmen and get their holiday shopping list done. We couldn’t be more excited for this holiday season.”
Following opening day on Saturday, November 23rd from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., sales at The Rocks will be closed November 24th through Thanksgiving Day, November 28th and then open daily starting Friday, November 29th, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (fields close at 3:30 p.m.) through Sunday, December 15th. The gift shop will remain open daily through Saturday, December 21st.
The Rocks has been featured in Martha Stewart Magazine and Yankee Magazine, and on WMUR, New Hampshire Chronicle, and Good Morning America.
The Rocks is the North Country Conservation and Education Center of the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests (www.forestsociety.org). The Forest Society is a non-profit membership organization founded in 1901 to protect the state’s iconic landscapes and promote sustainable use of its natural resources. The landmark 1,400-acre property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and offers agri-tourism and eco-tourism opportunities throughout the year.
For more information, please visit http://www.therocks.org. For reservations and other inquiries, e-mail info@therocks.org or call 603-444-6228.
Forest Society North at The Rocks
10:00 AM - 04:00 PM on Sat, 23 Nov 2024
