Party Time at Von Thun’s!

Thank you for choosing our farm as the venue for your birthday party, family reunion, gender reveal, baby shower – whatever the celebration, we’re happy to have you! The farm is such a special place and we promise to do everything we can to make your date as memorable and fun as possible. Please see below for FAQ’s for families who have already booked with us or are thinking about booking with us. We have two farm locations, each with slightly different offerings. See below for the correct address for each – you wouldn’t want your guests to end up at the wrong farm and miss the party!

What’s included?

In general, all of our birthday party packages include 2-hour use of one of our designated party areas in the shade, picnic tables for your group, 2 folding tables for food and gifts, and all-day access to our general admission Activity Area. Depending on if you visit in the spring (both locations), Summer (Washington only), or Fall (both locations) you can add on things like berry picking, the New Jersey Sunflower Trail, and apple and pumpkin picking.  Please select the location closest to you above for specific offerings.

How many tables will I get & what size tablecloths do I need?

We have picnic benches with seating attached at both of our farm locations. The tables in South Brunswick are larger & we offer one table per 8-10 guests. The tables in Washington are a little smaller & we offer one table per 6-8 guests. All parties zones also have one folding table for food & one for gifts. The plastic rectangular dollar store table cloths fit perfectly!

Can I see the venue prior to the date of my party?

Although we can show you the party area, the party zone & party tents are not put up until just prior to our party season. The photos we share on our website best display the party zone area that you will have for your party.

Do you offer rain dates?

We do not formally schedule rain dates. Should you get rained our and need to reschedule your party, we can guarantee a limited number of picnic tables in an alternate area for your group. Most likely, our party areas will not be available for rain dates.

How many people can I invite?

You can invite as many friends & family members as you’d like! Our base birthday party package includes 20 people and rental of the designated party area for two hours (birthday child is FREE!). You will need to pay the group admission price for every additional guest attending ($1 off regular admission price).

Who should I include on my invite list?

Kids age 2 and under are free. All others, excluding the birthday child are considered guests  & should be counted as so.

Can I bring my own food?

YES! We do have some food vendors on the farm but their stands get very busy and we highly recommend bringing your own food. Pizza, sandwiches, and salads tend to go over really well. You can also bring a cake or desert that we’d be happy to store for you in our cooler if space allows. Absolutely NO ALCOHOL at the farm.

If you give us a week’s worth of notice, we are usually able to provide your group with homemade apple cider donuts, kettle corn, or apple cider. Please send this request to melinda@vonthunfarms.com.

When can I come set up my party area?

Our party areas are heavily utilized, especially during the fall. You are able to arrive a half hour before your party time to set up your area and bring in any food or supplies you may have brought. If you arrive earlier than a half hour before your party start time we cannot guarantee access to your party area. 

Can I decorate the party area? And how early can I arrive to do so?

Absolutely! Although the party tent will be decorated with corn stalks, you are certainly welcome to add, within reason, decorations as you wish. You are permitted to bring balloons as decorations but all balloons MUST leave with you after your party. Please do not let the balloons go or leave them behind, as we have had deflated balloons get in with our barnyard animals which poses a major risk to their health and safety. Party hosts can have access to their party zone a half hour before the party is scheduled to start.

When do I give you a final head count?

We don’t need to know the exact number of guests you’ll be having, we just need to know how many folks you anticipate will be attending. You can email us if the number of guests greatly differs from what you initially listed on your party reservation form. We ask that you give us a guest list when you arrive at the farm so we know which guests will be attending your party rather than someone else’s. You will be charged for the final number of guests that attend your party.

Where do I go when I arrive at the farm?

When you arrive you can pull your car in the blocked off area near the farm market… just tell the parker that you are there to host a party. If you stop in the farm market one of our staff will connect you with our party attendants. Once you are unloaded, you will be asked to park in our main parking area. Please provide us with an updated guest list when you arrive. Have young kids that are not getting a wristband (not old enough to participate in the days activities) in one column, & all other guests in another. This will help our party attendant keep track of which party guests are yours & which guests may belong to another party. We often have multiple parties happening simultaneously.

Where should my guests go when they arrive at the farm?

Your guests should park in the general parking area and walk past the general admission entrance, continuing towards the farm market, where our party attendant will be with the wristbands your guests will need for admission.

Will there be staff available to help me with set up/ clean up?

Our party attendants will meet you at the farm market and show you to your party area. They will do their best to ensure there are 1 – 2 wagons available for your use to cart your supplies but they will not be able to bring your supplies to your tent area due to heavy party volume. You will be responsible for throwing away all party supplies in garbage cans and bags that are provided for you and our staff will grab them from your tent at the conclusion of the two hours.

Our party attendants will be the ones to check in your guests and track how many attend your party. We do not provide any of our staff to stay with your party or to organize any activities.

How will my party be structured?

You can structure your party however you choose! Most party hosts choose to spend their party time in the tent just socializing and enjoying food & cake. Most groups choose to do a hayride together too. It’s tough to get a whole group together to do much more than that. The activity area closes at 5pm so after an earlier party you & your guests are welcome to stay and do some activities on a more individual basis.

Can I do a special hayride with just my group?

Due to high demand, we are not able to promise a private hayride exclusively to your group. If your group would like to do a hayride, please approach our hayride attendant and they will let the folks waiting in line on the 1st hayride. The next one that comes around can be used for your group. Please note this may not be possible on our busiest Festival PLUS weekends in the fall.

Are pony rides & face painting available for parties?

Both pony rides & face painting can be booked the day of your party, directly with the vendor providing the services. Reservations are not taken for either.

SOUTH BRUNSWICK: Our pony ride vendor stopped offering pony rides & we have not been able to find a replacement, so no pony rides available again this season. We do have a face painter that joins us on most fall weekends.

WASHINGTON: Pony rides & face painting are available most fall weekends, although not all. We suggest you email us for availability.

How should payment be made?

At the conclusion of your 2 hour party rental, we request that a member of the group come to the farm market office to pay the balance of the party before enjoying the rest of the farm. Our preferred party payment methods are cash or check. Payments made with a debit or credit card will incur a 4% convenience fee.

Who should I contact if I have questions leading up to my party?

First, PLEASE look at the party pages for either the South Brunswick or Washington locations. These pages have a ton of information including pricing, timing, and what’s included listed on there. If you still have questions after visiting these pages, please email cindy@vonthunfarms.com with your list of questions and she’ll get back to you as soon as she can. Please note that we often do NOT check our emails from Friday – Sunday due to heavy volume at the farm so if you have last minute questions, please call the farm markets vs. emailing.