Brunching with a multicolor trio of alpacas is just one of the experiential offerings coming to Colonial Gardens this spring and summer as the rural Blue Springs retail space leans into agritourism and hands-on education, said Grace Ames.
Grace Ames with an alpaca at Colonial Gardens; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News
Not only can community members buy plants, trees, and flowers for their yards at Colonial Gardens, the 80-acre garden center and working farm — which Ames, director of agritourism and business development, calls one of the best kept secrets in the Kansas City area — plays host to a variety of events and learning opportunities throughout the year.
“The goal really is to give people a full experience of connecting to nature, connecting to food, connecting to something other than the typical thought of ways to entertain yourself,” she said. ”Whether kids learn and become lifelong gardeners or adults come in and have never gardened before, we want to connect that piece.”
Starting April 15, Colonial Gardens plans to offer about 10 weekend dates through September where community members can enjoy a picnic brunch in the orchard and meet the farm’s three resident alpacas — Frankie, Bonnie, and China.
“After having their brunch, they can come and interact with our alpacas — actually up close and personal — petting them, taking photos, etc.,” Ames said.
Tickets are $35 for adults and $15 for kids and include a farm-to-table brunch box and beverage, plus the option to buy a mimosa or beer.
An Alpaca Brunch event in fall 2022 at Colonial Gardens; photo courtesy of Grace Ames, Colonial Gardens
For the brunch box — like the food offered in the Colonial Kitchen restaurant, which is open four days a week for breakfast and lunch — the produce is all grown on-site. And for the other ingredients, if it doesn’t come from Colonial Gardens, it’s sourced from another local farm.
Click here to purchase tickets.
Colonial Gardens started the alpaca brunch last fall, Ames noted, and the events — including the April 15 date — always sell out quickly. The next one is set for April 30.
Alpacas at Colonial Gardens; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News
“They’re such unique animals and they’re very friendly,” she said of the attraction of alpacas, known for their soft fiber-covered bodies. “They’re often confused with llamas at first, but they’re, of course, smaller and they’re less aggressive. They’re so fluffy and cuddly. They’re really like big cats.”
An Alpaca Brunch event in fall 2022 at Colonial Gardens; photo courtesy of Grace Ames, Colonial Gardens
In the summer and fall, attendees will also have the chance to pick flowers, blackberries, raspberries, peaches, apples, and pumpkins.
“There’s all sorts of fun that happens surrounding the brunch itself,” Ames added.
Alpaca Brunch is just one of the many experiences offered at Colonial Gardens — which has been serving the Blue Springs area since 1969. Alongside the you-pick options, the business offers “Life on the Farm” tours with an opportunity to feed and interact with some of their other animals like chickens, goats, and lambs; farm-to-table dinners; gardening classes for kids and adults; farm share subscriptions; yoga sessions; live music in the courtyard; wine tastings; future beekeeping classes; several festivals throughout the year; and event space rental.
Ames calls it the farm version of Disneyland, drawing parallels to her own childhood memories picking blackberries with her grandmother and harvesting eggs while growing up. Places like Colonial Gardens offer those opportunities to those who otherwise wouldn’t experience them.
“We’re just giving this connection back to: Where does food come from? What does nature feel like? How can you bring nature into your own space?” she added.
