From miniature cows to tulips and trains, local farms continually seek new ways to engage guests.
A new 4-acre tulip field will brighten the landscape at Lakeland Orchard & Cidery in Scott Twp. this spring as the property along Lakeland Drive will open a month earlier than usual, said farm manager Julianne Roba.
Roba noted plans for the tulips — imported from the Netherlands — have been in the works for several years.
“There is a really special spot at the orchard — it was strawberries, then it was sunflowers and now it’s our tulip field,” she said. “It has a really gorgeous view over the mountains.”
A tulip festival — tentatively scheduled for Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from May 3-18 — will provide an opportunity for unique photos and a picturesque ride through the field on the Lakeland Express train, Roba said. Additionally, customers will be able to build their own custom bouquet using precut tulips.
“As farmers, we always have to follow the weather and see what’s going to happen, but the tulips are up out of the ground and they’re tracking to have blooms right around the first weekend in May — hopefully through Mother’s Day,” Roba said. “You put these bulbs in the ground and hope they come up. When they started to poke out of the ground, the excitement we felt was amazing. I’m out there every single day looking at them.”
Along with the tulips, Lakeland Orchard will also introduce a variety of new baby animals this upcoming spring season — from May 3 to June 1, Roba said.
“Spring is a time for babies and we’ll have two miniature donkeys, two miniature Scottish Highland cows, lambs, baby goats, chicks and ducks, sheep and llamas,” she said.
Roba believes children and adults will enjoy interacting with the animals in the new barn on the property.
“People can get up close with different kinds of animals,” she said. “The baby ducks are so cute and of course the miniature donkeys and cows are going to be super fun.”
Lakeland Orchard will also introduce some new menu items for the spring season, including a carrot cake doughnut, Roba said.
“I think my favorite part about our job is having to try all these different doughnuts, all the time, and pick the best flavors,” she said.
Brown Hill Farms in Lemon Twp., Wyoming County, also teased new attractions for the spring season — notably a 70-seat, disabled-accessible passenger train that will transport guests to the 5-acre tulip field, co-owner Michele Brown said.
The tulip festival at Brown Hill Farms is tentatively scheduled to begin April 26.
A new 23-foot windmill — with an observation deck — will provide guests with a beautiful view of the Endless Mountains and the tulip fields, Brown said.
Many popular fall children’s activities, including a corn pit, giant slide, trike track and giant sandbox, will also be available this spring, in addition to baby animals like Highland cows and rabbits, Brown added.
A coveted spot among photographers, Brown said the farm will also have some new backdrops this spring.
“It’s one of the main points of the farm — we have a huge following of photographers,” she said. “It’s always at the front of my mind to have new and fresh photo areas. This year we’re doing a lot of repainting and changing old props to look new.”
Brown Hill Farm typically contains about 60 varieties of tulips each year with some new ones mixed in, based on availability.
“I usually get three-quarters of the same every year and I’ll take a look at the newer varieties from Holland and choose which ones I want to have in the field,” Brown said.
As cold weather persisted throughout March and into April, Brown believes residents will be eager to soak in the sunshine as temperatures rise.
“Everybody is always ready to get out and see color as soon as spring hits,” she said. “The field looks exceptional this year, too, so we’ve had a really good start to the season.”
Roba shared a similar sentiment about turning the page from a dark, dreary mindset to more cheery thoughts.
“Every year, spring in Northeastern Pennsylvania feels like magic,” she said. “You think it’s going to be winter forever and then you see something green and your soul feels restored.”
A structure with a cut-out heart that will give guests photo opportunities sits in storage waiting to be brought out for the season at Lakeland Orchard & Cidery in Scott Twp. Friday. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Employee Gordy West works on the new windmill attraction at Lakeland Orchard & Cidery in Scott Twp. Friday, April 4, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Co-owner of Roba’s Family Farm Jeff Roba gives a tour of some of the new attractions that will be featured this coming season outside of the animal barn under construction at Lakeland Orchard & Cidery in Scott Twp. Friday, April 4, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
For the tulip season, 500,000 bulbs were planted on four acres of land at Lakeland Orchard & Cidery in Scott Twp. Friday, April 4, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Co-owner of Roba’s Family Farm Jeff Roba points out the interior of the ‘Baby Animal Days’ petting zoo in a barn under construction at Lakeland Orchard & Cidery in Scott Twp. Friday, April 4, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Tulips begin growing at Lakeland Orchard & Cidery in Scott Twp. Friday, April 4, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)