This was our first visit to Nelson's Farm for the Strawberry Festival, and overall we had a very…read moregood experience.
Originally, we planned to come just to pick strawberries because we had seen information online that led us to believe that was an option without attending the full festival. When we arrived, however, we learned that picking strawberries required purchasing full festival admission. Weekend tickets were $20 per person, with adults and children paying the same price. I think clearer communication on the website, social media, and at the farm itself regarding admission requirements would help set expectations.
Since we ended up purchasing festival admission, we decided to explore everything the event had to offer...and there was quite a bit. The atmosphere reminded me a little of Valas Pumpkin Patch, but with a more relaxed, family-owned feel. In some ways, it felt more like the Valas I remember from growing up. Nelson's offers plenty of activities, but it still feels authentic and community-focused rather than highly commercialized.
There were several giant slides, jumping pillows, farm animals to pet and feed, a playground, a corn pit, football and basketball games, and many other activities for kids. I imagine many of these attractions are available throughout the season, not just during Strawberry Festival.
One thing they did especially well was the festival theming. There were adorable strawberry-themed photo opportunities throughout the property, cute displays, and thoughtful decorations. In the café and market, they had strawberry garlands, themed signs, and all sorts of strawberry-inspired merchandise. The market was particularly well done, with everything from strawberry candies and treats to strawberry-themed hair clips, keychains, cups, and other fun items.
Like many farms, they offer a tractor-pulled ride out to the strawberry fields, which was much appreciated. The strawberry patch itself was larger than I expected. Some areas had been picked over, but there were still plenty of good berries if you took your time and looked around. It took my family of three about 30 minutes to pick roughly 1 1/2 pounds. We were told the berries are smaller this year because they're June-bearing strawberries, but they were incredibly sweet and flavorful. At $4 per pound, the pricing felt very reasonable for fresh local strawberries and comparable to what I'd expect to pay at a farmers market.
One area for improvement would be adding more shaded seating for parents. Some of the attractions--particularly the large slides and jumping areas--have limited shade and seating nearby. We visited on a hot, humid Nebraska day, which isn't exactly unusual, so a few more places for adults to sit comfortably while supervising children would make the experience even better.
I also appreciated seeing several American flags displayed around the property. It's always nice to see that sense of patriotism and community pride.
Finally, every employee we interacted with was friendly, helpful, and welcoming. The staff genuinely seemed focused on creating a positive customer experience and maintaining the feel of a family farm. They do a very good job of that.
Despite the confusion regarding admission, we had a fun day, picked some fantastic strawberries, and would absolutely consider visiting again.
