We Are Family - Winter 2023 Issue
We are family. You (anyone reading this) are my Edible family.
Fair Oaks Farms announces winter events
Winter Wonderland
Located about 90 minutes from downtown Indianapolis lies an agritourism and hospitality destination offering families a complete farm to table experience. Fair Oaks Farms, located in Northwest Indiana and founded by Mike and Sue McCloskey, began as a dairy farm and quickly expanded due to the community’s interest in farming practices.
Mike and Sue recognized the desire for individuals to learn more about where their food was coming from, igniting their mission to create an educational space where people of all ages could learn about modern farming. Today, Fair Oaks Farms includes the Cowfe (a cow-inspired cafe), a hotel, an outdoor play area, an orchard, a gas/convenience store as well as a restaurant called Farmhouse. The Cowfe and Farmhouse serve products, such as cheeses, ice cream, cheese curds, and grilled cheese, produced from ingredients harvested at the dairy farms. Additionally, Fair Oaks Farms allows guests to embark on three adventures at the property all year round: the dairy adventure, pig adventure and crop adventure.
Each adventure contains an experiential, interactive museum, equipped with their own curriculums spread out amongst entertainment. During the dairy and pig adventures, visitors have the opportunity to travel by bus touring the operating Curtis Creek Dairies to see where the cows eat and sleep and get milked in either a rotating milking parlor or in a voluntary robotic dairy.
“What is unique about our farms is that they are first and foremost operating farms. This is how the food is actually produced, how the animals are cared for and raised, and the tour is built so people have access to those farms to show them how it’s actually running,” Ryan Weaver, Chief Operating Officer at Fair Oaks Farms, said.
One of the most popular attractions at Fair Oaks Farms is the birthing barn, which is part of the dairy adventure. The birthing barn was part of Fair Oaks Farms’ first expansion. Jacqueline McCloskey, Director of Business Development at Fair Oaks Farms and daughter of Mike and Sue, said it was a shock to all of the farmers to find out that so many people were interested in the cow birthing process. Today, the birthing barn remains “a hit,” with five to six baby cows being born in the birthing area every day for guests to view.
In addition to the adventures and experiences offered year round, they have several special events during the winter season. Beginning November 10th through February 14th, visitors can reserve outdoor, heated igloos at the Farmhouse restaurant to enjoy a unique dining experience. The igloos come in three different sizes to accommodate parties of two up to ten people.
The Forest of Lights runs now through December 31st. This half mile gravel trail on the property is illuminated with twinkling lights and interactive light displays. Along the trail are bonfires, where guests can sit down, make some s’mores and indulge in some hot chocolate, spiked or unspiked. Jacqueline mentioned her favorite part of The Forest of Lights is the lit up John Deere tractor, perfect for taking family holiday photos.
This Christmas, the farm also gives children the opportunity to meet Santa during the Stories and Stars with Santa event December 17th and 18th. During the event, children will be able to give Santa their Christmas lists, Santa will read the children a story, and he will accompany them on a wagon ride through the Forest of Lights, even stopping for s’mores along the way.
Another event geared towards parent-daughter bonding is the Once Upon A Weekend experience, offered January 26 and 27 as well as February 16 and 17. The winter weekend begins with a special activity followed by the children being treated to princess pampering, featuring a hair and makeup session, followed by dinner at the Farmhouse. After dinner, everyone will attend a ball, ending the evening with an overnight stay at the hotel at Fair Oaks Farms. Just as you are getting ready for bed, an adult princess will knock on the door, wishing you and your child a goodnight.
“I actually have cried many times when I get reviews in from this because it is moms writing in and saying ‘I made memories that will last a lifetime with my daughter tonight.’ And that to me is it. That is the whole point of what we are doing, and it just really warms my heart,” Jacqueline said.
For more information on Fair Oaks Farms’ upcoming events and for more information on planning your visit, please visit their website here. Fair Oaks Farms is located at 856 N 600 E, Fair Oaks, IN.
More Stories
Communities Near You
Related Stories & Recipes
