Pender County farm debuts first water park on the farm festival

WILLARD, N.C. (WWAY) — A family-owned farm in rural Pender County is launching what it says is the first Water Park on the Farm Festival as part of its 4th of July celebration.

The event is scheduled for Saturday from noon to 9 p.m. at Tate Farm by the Pond, located at 5514 N.C. Highway 11 in Willard.

According to the farm, the festival will feature water attractions and family activities as part of an effort to bring visitors to one of southeastern North Carolina’s most rural communities. Organizers expect families from across the region, including Pender, New Hanover, Duplin, Brunswick, Onslow, Sampson, Bladen and Columbus counties.

The farm has also hosted free community food distributions featuring vegetables grown on the property and has supported local summer camps and other community events.

“This farm has always been about serving people before profits,” said Dr. Jimmy T. Tate, general manager of Tate Farm by the Pond. “Whether we’re giving away fresh vegetables to families in need, helping support summer camps for children, or creating unforgettable experiences like our first-ever Water Park on the Farm Festival, our mission is simple—to bring hope, joy, and opportunity to rural communities. We believe every family deserves a place where they can come together, make memories, and experience the best of small-town America.”

The festival is intended to celebrate Independence Day while highlighting the role local farms can play in supporting rural communities through community outreach and family events.

The event runs from noon until 9 p.m. Saturday at Tate Farm by the Pond in Willard.