It’s Raining Eggs at Thompson Farm!

One minute you’re texting your cousin about who’s bringing deviled eggs to Easter lunch. Next thing you know, you’re watching 15,000 eggs (the plastic, candy-filled version) drop from a helicopter onto a field full of squealing kids. Yep, Thompson Farm’s 12th Annual Helicopter Easter Egg Drop is back this Saturday, March 29—and it’s the kind of spring tradition that leaves you smiling at the skies and your kids covered in grass stains.

Forget the dainty Easter aesthetic. This is spring with a Southern accent and a side of flying eggs! The helicopter arrives at 2 PM sharp, so don’t be late unless you want to explain to a very upset 4-year-old why they missed the big moment.

What’s Crackin’?

Dropping 15,000 candy-filled eggs from a real chopper might sound a little unhinged, but they’ve got it down to a science. Hunts are split by age (0–3, 4–7, and 8–12), so everyone gets a fair shot at candy-filled glory. And once baskets are full, the rest of the farm is ready to roll:

• Pet baby farm animals or hand-feed a brahma (a massive, hump-shouldered cow that’s all muscle and mellow vibes).
• Snap a photo with the Easter Bunny before he hops off!
• Let the kids loose in a 6-acre play zone.
• Target paintball and barrel cart rides are always a hit, but you’ll need to bring extra cash.

Tickets are $15 for ages 3+ (2 and under are free). Protip: buy at the gate or skip the line with an online ticket and waiver. The fun runs 10 AM–4 PM at Thompson Farm at Brickyard Plantation, rain or shine—unless the pasture turns into a slip ’n slide.

Want eggs that don’t fall from the sky?

With prices still up (thanks, bird flu), local farms are your best bet:

• Gibson Farms – Colorful, fresh eggs from a family-run farm.
• Happy Hen Acres – Free-roaming hens, fresh eggs daily.
• Hero’s Rest Farm – Organic-fed chickens with fun farm experiences.

From Egg Hunt to Egg Empire

Now that you’ve got the egg hookup, thinking about hatching your own? Check your zoning laws first, but if it’s allowed, keeping hens is easier than you’d think! With clean water, good feed, a secure coop, and maybe a name like Henrietta, you’re in the egg game. Start with these dependable layers:

• Black Australorp – Chill, kid-friendly, and can lay up to 300 eggs a year!
• Rhode Island Red – Hardy, low-drama, and productive.
• White Plymouth Rock – Friendly and reliable, a great first bird.
• Bonus crowd favorite: Silkie! – Light layers, but these fluffballs look like feather dusters and act like lapdogs—how could we leave them out?!

Backyard hens are a delight, especially when you’re poaching their unfertilized efforts for brunch, but there’s still nothing like watching 15,000 eggs rain from a helicopter. Rally the kids, grab a basket, and gear up for a spring Saturday with more lift than your aunt’s church hair.

Want to support more local farmers? Fill your basket with these listings at www.guidetosouthcarolina.com/fresh-produce-farmers-markets.