Families celebrate Mother’s Day at Blackberry Farm

It was difficult to tell what was the biggest draw to Blackberry Farm in Aurora Sunday afternoon.

For 3 1/2-year-old Benjamin Miller, feeding “Paco,” a donkey who is the farm’s de facto mascot, was a huge highlight.

For Benjamin’s dad, Jon, it was spending Mother’s Day with his wife and kids, including. Daniel, 1, and Hanna, 3 months.

“Pam used to work on weekends, so this is our first Mother’s Day we’ve been able to enjoy as a family,” said Aurora resident Jon Miller. “We live close by (Blackberry Farm) so we take advantage of it.”

Each mom got a red carnation when they entered and live music supplemented the usual attractions.

For the McCulloch family, Sunday’s visit to the 54-acre facility was a three generation affair. Jayne McCulloch of Geneva suggested the farm as a destination for her visiting daughter and two grandkids.

“We’re going to do it all,” she said.

Jeanette McCulloch of Ithaca, New York, and her two kids, Millie McCoulloch-Havell, 8, and younger brother Hawthorn, 2, checked out the train, carousel, petting zoo, blacksmith and one-room schoolhouse.

Jeanette McCulloch said the last time Millie was at Blackberry Farm was when she was four years old.

“She said this time she really gets it. The last time she didn’t get the history. She only liked the rides,” Jeanette said.

Kristin Phillips of Yorkville saw Sunday as a good opportunity to take her kids, Kennedy, 3, and Delaney, 4, to the farm even though her husband, Paxton, was out playing a round of golf. He got Phillips a gift certificate and she was fine spending time with her daughters, who also visited Paco.

“It’s educational but fun at the same time. Its very kid friendly, “ Phillips said. “Kennedy loves Blackberry Farm. She’s been asking for a long time to come out.”