BOSTON (WBZ-AM) – While Black Friday deals are being snatched up at the big box stores, Governor Charlie Baker and his administration wants shoppers to also think about “Green Friday.”
It's a campaign to promote the state's nearly 400 Christmas tree farms, which contribute about $1.4 Million dollars to the local economy each year.
Jerry Wareck, the co-owner of Riverdale Tree Farm in Lancaster says the day after Thanksgiving is typically not the busiest day for this agricultural sector, but says business will pick up over the weekend and next few weeks.
“It will pick up Saturday, Sunday and the next two weekends will be pretty crazy, “Wareck said.
Last year's drought impacted local tree farmers, including Wareck.
“All the trees that we planted in the spring all died,” he said. “This year was a whole lot better.”
Wareck says is hoping for good weather between now and Christmas.
“If it’s raining or cold, nobody wants to come out and look for a Christmas tree… and if it’s snowing the snow will weigh the branches down and it will look a lot different, I think this weekend will be great,” he said.
The state’s Department of Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources has released an online map, where you can find your nearest Christmas tree farms, farmers' markets and roadside farm stands.
WBZ NewsRadio1030’s Bernice Corpuz reports.