I’ve lived in Denver 12 years and had yet to visit White Fence Farm. So, when I heard the announcement that this iconic family restaurant had new owners, I figured I was long overdue. My dad was visiting from Canada so we made an evening of it for his birthday.
Feeding the ducks
And I wondered how I’ve gone so long without White Fence Farm’s corn fritters and fried chicken in my life.
As it turns out, the Family-style Farm Dinner wasn’t all we fell in love with. The 12 acres of landscaped grounds and colonial-style buildings are decked out for the holidays and if you’ve never been, it’s a sight to behind–everything from the Americana Barn with Granny’s and a farmhouse stage (check-out the entertainment schedule), Country Cottage, OK Corral’s petting zoo, outdoor playground, tree house and jumbo indoor slide, indoor play area, the “signing chicken” show, Carriage House, Hospitality House, Gazebo, Silo, Pig Chute, and the Colorado Christmas year-round store.
Tip: If you need some awesome stocking stuffers or unique gifts, swing by the old-time gift shop and buy some candies of a different era and some White Fence Farm jams and jellies while you look through the shop’s collection of unusual toys, novelties, and gift items.
As we waited to be seated in the restaurant, “regulars” worriedly approached the hostess asking about what changes would be made to the farm with the new owners. They were calmly assured that the menu, staff and favorite traditions would remain the same. In fact, the only main change in the foreseeable future would be that, for the first time ever, White Fence Farm would be open in January. And a couple of new family pictures of the new owners would be added to the wall.
Being part of the family is what has made White Fence Farm such a tradition for so many people. In July 1973, Charlie Wilson opened White Fence Farm on his parent’s property, which was then rural land in Lakewood. It wasn’t long before he converted the working hay and cattle farm into a restaurant and tourist attraction. Fast-forward more than 40 years and the new owners Tom Piercy and Craig Caldwell say their initial talks about purchasing White Fence Farm were like a marriage of ideas.
The famous fried chicken
“Craig says to me, I am thinking of getting involved with White Fence Farm. He had no idea that I grew up in Joliet, IL, home of the original White Fence Farm so my reaction certainly surprised him,” relishes Tom. “I immediately went home and called and emailed my family to have them share memories. My sister held her rehearsal dinner at White Fence Farm, my other sister remembered all the birthday and anniversary celebrations and how special the dinner would be; I chuckle thinking of my grandmother sneaking corn fritters into a napkin at dinner to keep the little ones at bay on the car ride home; the magic has never escaped me.”
And it is that magic they intended to keep alive for many more generations to come.
Mile High Mamas would love to send your family to White Fence Farm and we’re giving away a $50 gift card! You may enter as many as five times.
Author: Amber Johnson
Amber is the founder and editor of Mile High Mamas, travel writer and former columnist for The Denver Post. She is a passionate community builder and loves the outdoors. She has two awesome teens and is happily married to a man obsessed with growing The Great Pumpkin.
