Thursday, October 29, 2020

Andelin Farm- A Charming, U-Pick, Family Owned Farm Providing Lots of Family Fun in the Summer, Fall, & Spring in Sparks, Nevada



Andelin Farm in Sparks is one of those special places my family and I can’t get enough of.  This farm is where we've made some of our best & fondest memories.  Over the years, the Andelin family has been improving the farm, adding & optimizing experiences for everyone's enjoyment and comfort.  

One year, they added a gemstone mining sluice and a chick holding experience, both of which have been hits with my family.  They've also been adding in shade tents and places to sit to help with the heat, and even started growing their own sunflowers, pumpkins, & tulips one year for a U-Pick.  

For those who have never visited the farm, it's basically a huge fenced in area loaded with tons of activities like zip lining, barrel/hay/train rides, farm animals, a barn store, and so much more.  Pay a flat fee and enjoy most of the activities all day long (pay a little extra for pony rides, gem mining, feed for the animals, and train rides).  Visitors not looking to enter the farm can access the barn store and food  trucks and just hang around without paying admission.  The year that the housing developments starting forming around the farm got everyone on the edge of their seats, but low and behold, Andelin Farm is still here, and for that, I'm so thankful.  

The farm is well kept and thoughtfully run by the Andelin family and their team who genuinely care about making sure everyone has a great time. I recently had a chat with one of the owners and found that her college son came back to lend a helping hand on the farm.  For most of their youth, the Andelin children would learn the meaning of true hard work while maintaining the lands throughout the ever changing seasons and caring for the animals.  I'm happy to hear how they've expressed their gratitude as adults for this upbringing to their parents.  And the team that helps runs the farm is always so welcoming and fun.  Let's say that the kids and I have had out fair share of precious moments with them (some involving Jiu Jitsu lessons and rock, paper, and scissor competitions). 

One year, my family was one of the last families on the farm (time always flies by on the farm) & realized we hadn’t ridden the hayride yet.  We asked one of the workers if we could catch a last minute ride, & one of the workers smiled and said he’d check for us. To our surprise, the owner, Cameron, came out with a big smile and was more than happy to take us around. He gave us a little history about the farm and chatted with us like we were old friends. There’s something really special about an owner who takes the time to make sure his guests are having a great time, even as the day was wrapping up. Cameron’s hands on approach is just one of the things that make Andelin Farm so amazing.

After all of the baby goat feedings, chick holdings, gem mining, zip lining, u-picking, screaming from fear at Corn Creepers, and apocalyptic adventures fighting zombies, I still haven't had enough at the farm, LOL.  Whether it's the fall festivities, holiday fun, or the different seasonal events, there’s always something new and exciting to look forward to at Andelin Farm.

2026 Baby Animal Days & Tulips Festival

General Admission: 
Online - $15.56 (Price $14.00 + $1.56 Fee)
2yrs. & younger free

Season Pass:
$47

Included in General Admission: 
-hayride
-ropes course (Buster's Barnyard Challenge)
-basketball hoops
-access to U-Pick pumpkin patch (fall), tulips (spring) and sunflower fields (summer)
-Beeline Mini Ziplines
-barrel train ride
-hamster wheel
 -straw bale maze
-petting zoo (goats, sheep, chickens) (feed available for purchase)
-chick (spring) & kitten (summer) experience 
-duck races (water pumps)
-lasso activity
-pumpkin shooters (fall, w/ slingshots & corn kernels)
-slides 
-kickball enclosure
-tricycle ride
-hay maze
-vegetable garden/play store
-ball maze

Additional Charge:
-pony rides 
-gem mining
-U-Pick tulips (spring), sunflowers (summer), and pumpkins (fall)
-Calf Cuddling
-lamb/calf feeding

FALL
-Corn Creepers (haunt)
-Zombie Paintball 
-5 acre corn maze 
-U-pick pumpkins
-Corn Cannon

Notes:
-farm opens early April to the end of May, in spring and late September-end of October for fall
-Stay on top of hourly weather and plan and dress accordingly.  Hats, sunscreen, and water are musts during summer.
-If you're looking to pick pumpkins, make sure you head out there early to mid October to catch them while they're still on the vine.  
-Access to pre-picked pumpkins & Gourds available to public at barn store without admission
-Jams, soup mixes, pantry items, snacks like kettle corn, sweet caramel nuggets, trail mix, yogurt pretzels, Andelin merchandise like t-shirts, sweaters, hats, jewelry soaps, and more available for sale.
-Frozen pies, croissants, and cinnamon buns available at barn store.
-affordable drinks & ice cream available
-ideal for field trips
-private group tours available
-available for private events
-The farm is ideal for kiddos, but adults can also have a good time with photo opportunities, u pick activities, petting zoo, and horse rides.  Adults also enjoy visit to the farm during October for the corn maze (daytime & night), corn creepers, & zombie paintball.  Daytime maze comes with a fun farm investigation activity (grab a booklet at check in)
-Don't forget to wear proper footwear as the farm is mainly made up of compact dirt
-ground is solid enough for strollers, wheelchairs, and wagons



*Information subject to change.  All opinion are my own.

Photography
© Katherine Fung,
All rights reserved.

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