The children鈥檚 camp in south Otter is readying for their first Loft Country Christmas in December.
There will be all kinds of western-themed fun for kids of all ages at the Loft Country 鈥渄ude ranch鈥� and plenty of Christmas lights, music and more for the season.
The summer children鈥檚 horse camp has grown by leaps and bounds 鈥� from 914 youths last year to 1,415 this past summer 鈥� and Loft Country鈥檚 鈥渢op gun鈥� Trent Sulz says it鈥檚 time to expand on that for the winter season.
鈥淲e decided to do a family-oriented Christmas season program this year and hope to do it every Christmas,鈥� said Sulz.
The horse arena will be decorated with lights, and the farm鈥檚 ponies and horses will be decorated for a 鈥渓ive carousel鈥� which guests can ride in a circle to the sounds of Christmas music, just like a fair carousel. The horses will be led in the circle by a crew of farm volunteers, one per horse and rider for the safety and comfort of all.
There will also be horse-drawn carriage rides with Santa on the farm property.
There will be live entertainment in the farm鈥檚 main auditorium, a kid鈥檚 treasure hunt, bumper cars, 鈥渇ainting鈥� goats and a Nativity scene.
The farm has also built a western town facade, where guests can enjoy live entertainment including an old west shootout, along with food and beverages. Note that there will not be any alcohol served or consumed on the farm.
All of this, except for food and beverages, is included in the admission fee, and Sulz is hoping that at least 200 show up each of the four nights for a couple hours of family-style fun.
The Loft Country Christmas runs Friday and Saturday evenings, Dec. 8-9 and 15-16, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets range from $20 adult to $15 child, with family rates as well as free admission for youths aged four and under. For tickets and more information see the website.
