CREAM RIDGE, NJ – Two of New Jersey’s largest tulip farms, Dalton Farms and Holland Ridge Farms came under fire this spring by Governor Phil Murphy who threatened to arrest the owners if they hosted their annual drive-through tulip farm events. Those events allowed families to drive through the farm in their cars and admire the acres upon acres of beautiful tulip fields. Murphy’s actions in the end helped those businesses because customers came out each weekend in support of the farms and in an act of defiance against the governor’s shut down.
This week, as tulip season comes to an official end in New Jersey, the governor announced he will lift his ban on such events.
“As part of New Jersey’s Road Back, Governor Phil Murphy today signed Executive Order No. 142, permitting the resumption of non-essential construction, curbside pickup at non-essential retail businesses, and car gatherings for the purpose of drive-through and drive-in events,” the state said. “The construction and non-essential retail provisions will take effect at 6:00 a.m. on Monday, May 18, while the car gatherings provision will take effect immediately.”
It’s too little too late for the two tulip farms, but both ended the season in good spirits.
“Although we’re sad for what could have been, we’re so incredibly happy for how the community came together to support our family farm,” said Holland Ridge Farms. “Our goal has always been to bring color into your lives, but on this occasion you truly brought color into ours. We have received so many thoughtful and positive comments, messages, emails and words of encouragement from customers old and new. We don’t just think of you as customers, we consider you our family friends. Seriously, thank you for all that you have done.”
“Thanks for coming out to Dalton Farms,” Dalton farms told their customers. “You guys came out and bought a lot of flowers.”
Dalton Farms will reopen at the end of the summer for Sunflower season.
“Thank you for bringing joy to so many,” said customer Cheri Riggio. “During this crazy time taking the drive to your farm to do curbside has been a highlight for my teenage daughters.”
“I and my family visited your farm for the first time this year to see and purchase your beautiful tulips. I was in awe of the beauty that we saw. It was amazing,” said Stefani Ballek.