🗞️ How a North Carolina Flower Farm Creates Lasting Memories for Families and Photographers

🗞️ Pedal for a purpose: Tour de Llama brings hope to neighbors in need

🗞️ A Paved Trail Is a Favorite Weekend Escape

🗞️ From Fishing to Yoga: How Guilford Creek Week Connects Families to Local Waterways

There's a spot in Kernersville that looks like it belongs in a storybook. Dewberry Farm, with its endless rows of bright tulips and wide open fields, has a way of making visitors feel like they've stepped into a painting.

Whether you're planning a family day out, a romantic afternoon, or a photography session, this farm has something special to offer. It's quickly becoming one of the most talked about destinations in North Carolina.

The Tulip Fields That Draw the Crowds Every spring, the farm turns into a sea of color. Thousands of tulips in red, yellow, pink, and purple stretch across the property during the U-Pick Tulips event.

People who visit often say it feels magical. Once you see it in person, it's easy to understand why.

The tulip season is short, usually lasting just two to three weeks from late March into early April. That makes it a rare treat worth planning for.

Each stem costs about $1.25, which is a fair price for flowers this beautiful.

Many visitors leave with armfuls of blooms that brighten their homes for days. It's a good idea to check the farm's website before you go.

Time slots fill up fast, and weekdays tend to be quieter and more relaxing. A Photographer's Dream Spot One local photographer said the farm reminded her of the Dutch countryside she loved as a child.

That kind of reaction shows just how stunning the place really is. Every corner of the property offers a new photo opportunity.

Beyond the tulips, there are ponds, tree lines, rustic props, and charming buildings that add variety to any shoot. Cloudy days are actually best for photography here.

The soft light makes the flower colors pop without harsh shadows getting in the way. More and more couples are choosing Dewberry Farm for elopements and portrait sessions.

If you love photography, marking your calendar for tulip season is a smart move. The Joy of Picking Your Own Tulips There's something special about walking through a field and picking your own flowers.

At Dewberry Farm, the U-Pick Tulips event turns a simple afternoon into a lasting memory. Kids especially enjoy snipping their own stems and watching their bouquets grow.

The tulips come in many colors, shapes, and sizes, so no two bouquets are ever the same. Bringing your own clippers and a sturdy bucket or vase is a good idea to keep the flowers fresh on the way home.

If you forget your bucket, the farm has them for a small fee. Admission is reasonably priced, with weekday tickets costing a bit less than weekend ones.

Reservations are required, and they sell out fast, so booking early is the best way to guarantee your spot. Sunflowers Bring a Different Kind of Magic Dewberry Farm isn't just for spring.

In July, the same fields fill with tall sunflowers that glow in the summer light. Many people visit twice a year just to see both seasons.

Sunflower season has the same calm, easygoing feel as spring. Visitors have described sitting on the farmhouse porch in rocking chairs, listening to wind chimes, and feeling like time had slowed down.

That kind of peaceful atmosphere is hard to find and worth seeking out. Like tulip season, sunflower picking requires a reservation through the farm's website.

Slots are available in July, and the same rule applies: book early because they disappear quickly. Whether you prefer tulips or sunflowers, Dewberry Farm offers beauty in every season.

Farm Animals Add to the Fun Flowers aren't the only attraction. The farm also has animals that delight visitors of all ages, making it a full experience for families.¹

The Tour de Llama returns for its 12th year on Saturday, June 13, bringing cyclists and families together for a day of purpose at Divine Llama Vineyards in East Bend. This annual bike ride and fundraiser blends outdoor adventure with community fellowship, all in support of a meaningful cause.

For many, summer means vacations and time with loved ones. But for neighbors facing hardship, the heat brings added dangers like dehydration, heat exhaustion, and sun exposure.

Samaritan Ministries, which runs a shelter and soup kitchen in Winston-Salem, sees more families with children seeking meals during these months. The shelter stays full year-round.

This year, the Tour de Llama aims to raise $50,000 to help meet those needs. Every dollar raised through rider registrations and sponsorships goes toward providing food, shelter, and hope.

In fact, 83 cents of every dollar directly supports guest services. Participants can feel good knowing each pedal stroke makes a real difference.

Riders of all skill levels can choose from three routes: 21, 38, or 60 miles through the rolling hills of rural Yadkin County. Whether you are a seasoned cyclist looking for a challenge or a casual rider wanting to enjoy the countryside, there is a path for you.

All rides start at 8:30 a.m. to catch the cool morning air. After finishing, cyclists and their families can relax at Divine Llama Vineyards.

They can enjoy food trucks, sample wines, and visit the llamas that give the event its name. Registration costs $45 per rider, and participants must be at least 18 years old.

To keep things organized and safe, all registration and waiver forms must be completed online by 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 11. You can sign up at samaritanforsyth.org. For more details, visit the same website.

Samaritan Ministries has been serving Winston-Salem and Forsyth County since 1981. It is a volunteer-based Christian ministry that runs the Samaritan Ministries Soup Kitchen and Samaritan Inn Shelter, both open 365 days a year.²

If you're looking for a gentle escape into nature without leaving the city, the Salem Creek Greenway Trail in Winston-Salem might be just what you need. This 8.9-kilometer point-to-point path winds through Forsyth County and offers an easy, accessible way to get outside. Local hikers and walkers give it a solid 4.6 out of 5 stars, based on 18 reviews. That's a good sign for anyone wanting a reliable spot for a daily stroll or a weekend outing.

The trail is paved and wheelchair-friendly, so it's open to just about everyone. Families with strollers will find it easy to navigate, and dogs on leashes are welcome too.

You'll pass by rivers and through forested areas, with scenic views along the way. Plan for about an hour and 55 minutes to complete the hike.

The trail gains only 87 meters in elevation, which keeps things manageable. Of course, your actual time may vary depending on your pace and how often you stop to take in the sights.

People use this greenway for all kinds of activities. Trail running, hiking, walking, and road biking are all popular here.

It's a versatile space that fits into whatever kind of outdoor routine you have. Just keep in mind that trail conditions can change.

It's a good idea to check recent community posts for updates before you head out. That way, you'll know what to expect and can plan accordingly.³

Most people in Guilford County don't give a second thought to creeks and storm drains unless something goes wrong. A flood, a bad smell, or a mosquito problem might grab their attention.

But local officials are hoping to change that during this year's Guilford Creek Week. The event runs from Saturday, May 30, through Saturday, June 6.

It's packed with activities like stream cleanups, environmental games, fishing events, walking tours, and even lakeside yoga. The goal is to get families thinking about where water goes and what happens to the things they toss into it.

This weeklong effort brings together Guilford County, Greensboro, High Point, Kernersville, and several nonprofits and local businesses. They all share a focus on water quality and protecting the local watershed.

Organizers want to make environmental education feel less like a classroom lecture and more like a fun Saturday outing. One of the most popular events is Family Fishing Day at the Guilford County Farm in Gibsonville.

It takes place Saturday, May 30, from 9 a.m. to noon. There will be fishing instruction, giveaways, raffle drawings, and information on water quality and fishing safety.

People should bring their own rods and bait, though some equipment will be available. As a nice perk, fishing license requirements will be waived during the event.

Another event tackles something most people don't connect with clean water: old tires and broken appliances. "The Flow of Waste: From Recycling to Watershed Health" happens Monday, June 1, at the Guilford County Scrap Tire and White Goods Collection Facility on Bishop Road in Greensboro.

County staff will explain how electronics, appliances, and tires get recycled and why improper disposal can harm streams and watersheds. It might sound dry on paper, but it's one of the more practical discussions because it deals with everyday junk people often don't know what to do with.

In Kernersville, officials are encouraging residents to join a weeklong litter pickup effort running throughout Creek Week. Volunteers can grab cleanup supplies from Kernersville Public Services and spend time removing trash from roadsides, drainage areas, and public spaces.

There are also several events designed for families and kids. "Creek Games" at Triad Park on Tuesday, June 2, will feature environmental games and interactive models that teach children about watersheds and stormwater runoff.

High Point will open the Frank L. Ward Water Filtration Plant for public tours on the same day.

It's a chance for residents to see where their drinking water comes from and how it's treated before reaching their faucets. Greensboro's contribution includes a "Drain Marker Pop-up" project in the Saddlecreek neighborhood.

Volunteers will place markers near storm drains to remind residents that those drains flow directly into local waterways. Environmental officials often point out that many people mistakenly think storm drains connect to wastewater treatment systems.

In reality, oil, litter, chemicals, and grass clippings can end up straight in creeks and streams. Later in the week, the "Stream Walk & Talk" on Thursday, June 4, will focus on the Downtown Greenway stream restoration project at Cairn's Course in Greensboro.

Participants will learn about the restoration effort and the wildlife the creek supports. For those who prefer a quieter experience, High Point's "Lakeside Yoga Flow" at Oak Hollow Lake combines yoga with a waterfront setting Thursday evening.

Officials say Guilford Creek Week has grown over the years as local governments try to make environmental awareness more community-oriented and less about rules. Instead of just telling people not to litter or dump waste, organizers want to connect residents with the streams, lakes, and drainage systems around them.

It matters more than many people realize. Most residents interact with local waterways every day without thinking about it, whether they're washing a car in the driveway, throwing away an old battery, mowing the lawn before a rainstorm, or watching water disappear into a storm drain during a thunderstorm.⁴