Magic abounds at Silveyville Tree Farm
Santa’s elves were hard at work Friday as hundreds of visitors descended on Silveyville Christmas Tree Farm in Dixon for its magical season opener.
A s Chr istma s music wafted across the airwaves, crowds traversed the sundappled property — most on foot, several in strollers and still more via other modes of transportation, including being carried by mom, dad and grandparents.
Happy squeals echoed throughout as kids ran through acre after acre of U-Pick Christmas trees. Silveyville boasts 15,000 trees with five species. Visitors are welcome to choose and cut their own, or grab a freshlycut tree. For those living in small quarters, adorable tabletop trees are also available, along with pine boughs and wreaths.
Zoe Bick, her dad, Steve Bick and mom, Jill Slater lugged what appeared to be a Godzilla- sized Monterey Pine to the jam-packed service area, where a portion of the trunk is cut off and the whole tree wrapped in netting for transport.
They came from Davis, an annual trek they’ve missed just once.
“We’ve been coming here since I was teeny tiny,” Zoe said, “Except that one year we bought it at Walmart.” Cue the large sighs.
“We never did that again,” she said.
Jill said it’s been about 26 years.
“This is just a delightful place and people are so nice,” she said.
Zoe agreed.
“It’s just got a genuine kind of happy Christmas feeling,” she added.
The women shared their no-fail, tree-picking system.
“We go from tree to tree to tree, see which is the fullest, which is the tallest,” Zoe explained. Her dad, Steve, is a living place holder, guarding the trees until told to move on or the tree is chosen. They found “the one” on their third try.
“It was very green, it was very full,” Jill shared. “It didn’t have any holes. It was
just very lush.”
Across the way, dogs barked in conversation as their people milled about. Some whined, others whistled as they yawned. Perhaps they were lulled by the strong pine scent, redolent of memories and joys to come.
Juanita and Jason Lopes watched as Liyah, 8, and Jax, 3, roamed.
Juanita had already fallen in love with a large tree, but Liyah insisted she wanted a “medium” one. You know, one slightly taller than her pint-size.
“I like the bald ones, like Charlie Brown,” Juanita said. “I lost.”
The trip to Silveyville for a Christmas tree was new to the family, who live in Sacramento and usually come around Halloween for pumpkins.
“This is our first time,” Juanita said. “Just to start a tradition with the kids.”
Over near the play area, hens and roosters and chicks meandered as kids rode rocking reindeer and eyed the Rudolph-led sleigh.
Ken Koch of Vacaville sat on a hay bale monitoring his cell phone.
“It’s a tradition. We’ve been coming here for 25 years,” he said.
Asked if anyone had accompanied him, he said yes.
“I’m with my kids,” he said, smiling sheepishly. “They’re not kids anymore.”
He pointed to the line for the sleigh ride, adding that they were making memories with their significant others. He, on the other hand, would sit out the ride.
“No, I’m not,” he emphasized, about traveling by sleigh. “But I am going to take a picture.”
Silveyville and all its Christmas magic is for all ages, both the young and young at heart.
Aside from trees, there’s cute farm animals, like sheep, to moon after, lots of room to spread out, dogs are welcome and there’s no rush at all to do, well, anything.
There’s sodas and treats like eggnog taffy for purchase and a fully- stocked gift shop with Christmas stuff galore.
Silvey ville is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. every ay except Monday, when it’s closed.
Admission and parking are free.
Tree stands are available, as are flocked trees.
For more information, visit www. silveyvilletreefarm.com.