Hunterdon County’s 579 Trail offers holiday magic

A journey along Hunterdon County’s 579 trail can be a magical way to enjoy the holiday season.
The vineyards, farms and specialty markets are dressed up with fresh evergreens, twinkling lights, and warm hospitality. Along the way, you can take a photo with Santa, snuggle with a goat, cut down a Christmas tree, relax at a vineyard, and shop for holiday gifts.
The 579 Trail (hunterdon579trail.com) is an online guide to more than 50 agricultural and agritourism sites located within a few miles of Hunterdon County’s historic Route 579. The trail is about 25 miles long and meanders roughly north to south from Bloomsbury, N.J., to East Amwell, N.J.
“The 579 Trail provides a unique holiday shopping opportunity,” said Hunterdon County Commissioner Sue Soloway. “It’s beautiful, it’s local, and it’s a lot of fun. Plus, it feels good to spend locally and meet the people throughout our community who take pride in the things they produce.”
Hunterdon’s vineyards ring in the season with decorated tasting rooms, and heated outdoor seating. Seasonal wines, live music, artisan vendors, and specialty foods make the vineyards ideal for celebrating, relaxing, and shopping. The rolling fields provide a scenic backdrop for holiday photos.
At Old York Cellars in Ringoes, photos with Santa will take place on Saturdays and Sundays in December.
At Peterson Family Farm in Flemington, you can select and tag your tree as early as Thanksgiving weekend and return when you are ready to cut it down.

On Dec. 3 and 4, and 10 and 11 WoodsEdge Farm, home to llamas, alpacas and Tibetan yak, will host “Holidays with the Herd.”
“Christmas on the Farm” at the Bubbly Goat Farm in Stockton invites guests for a “goat getaway” on the seasonally decorated farm including the opportunity to “cuddle and play with the goats.”
Gorgeous Goat Creamery in Stockton is celebrating Small Business Saturday, from noon to 4 p.m. Nov 27, with a holiday market offering soap, ceramics and handmade gifts.
Sugar Maple Jerseys in Stockton is kicking off the holidays from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov 27, with a visit from Santa and professional photos with calves Esther and Savannah.
Stangl Factory Farmers market in Flemington hosts events including an Arts and Crafts Festival on Sunday, Dec. 12.
A complete listing of all farms, farm markets and vineyards along the 579 Trail can be found on hunterdon579trail.com. Individuals can stay up to date by following the Hunterdon 579 Trail on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter or by subscribing to the Newsletter. The Hunterdon 579 Trail initiative is managed by the Hunterdon County Tourism Partnership and funded by the county’s Office of Economic Development. The organization also highlights the attractions of Hunterdon’s historic downtowns on hunterdonmainstreets.com.