Sheep Shearing Day
April 22, 2023
9am – 1pm
Bring the whole family to Stratford for a wooly experience! Stratford will provide visitors with an engaging experience while the resident sheep (and llama) receive their annual shearing. The flock will be shorn throughout the day, and our shearers will interpret the process from start to finish. Your family can visit stations to learn how wool is processed. Celebrate the spring season with us through hands-on fiber projects, visiting the farm babies in the barn, taking a picture with Little Bo Peep, tossing feathers up to see the tree swallows catch them out of thin air, hiking the trails for a wildflower walk and more!
Walk-ins welcome, but register now to guarantee a speedy check-in process upon arrival and let us know you’re coming to help us plan accordingly.
$5 per person, Ages 2 and under are free
*Pre-registration closes at 2pm on April 21, but walk-ins are welcome!
Maple Sugar Celebration
Check back for 2024 date!
Bring the whole family to Stratford for a self-guided exploration to celebrate this special time of year. From farm to forest discover the early signs of spring. Celebrate the maple sugar season with us as you walk the Storybook Trail out to the Sugar Shack where you’ll learn how to tap a tree, taste maple sap and syrup, observe the cooking process and more. After your adventure, visit the newborn farm babies and warm up by the fire as you enjoy a fresh pancake with warm maple syrup and a cup of hot chocolate or coffee (while supplies last). To help save on waste, please bring your own fork and reusable thermos or mug. Before you head home, be sure to stop in the farm store to take home some local, pure maple syrup. It doesn’t get much sweeter than that!
$10 per person. Ages 2 and under free (no need to register a spot for them). Limited spaces available. Online registration for your family’s arrival time is required due to limited parking during muddy, spring weather.
Maple Sugar Celebration
Check back for 2024 date!
Bring the whole family to Stratford for a self-guided exploration to celebrate this special time of year. From farm to forest discover the early signs of spring. Celebrate the maple sugar season with us as you walk the Storybook Trail out to the Sugar Shack where you’ll learn how to tap a tree, taste maple sap and syrup, observe the cooking process and more. After your adventure, visit the newborn farm babies and warm up by the fire as you enjoy a fresh pancake with warm maple syrup and a cup of hot chocolate or coffee (while supplies last). To help save on waste, please bring your own fork and reusable thermos or mug. Before you head home, be sure to stop in the farm store to take home some local, pure maple syrup. It doesn’t get much sweeter than that!
$10 per person. Ages 2 and under free (no need to register a spot for them). Limited spaces available. Online registration for your family’s arrival time is required due to limited parking during muddy, spring weather.
Harvest Fair
October 14 | 10am – 2pm
Help us celebrate the harvest at one of Stratford’s biggest events of the year! Kids of all ages can discover their inner farmer at this family friendly event. Climb a tractor, get your face painted, feed the chickens, help press fresh apple cider, walk the storybook trail, and more! It is a great opportunity to get the kids outside to have fun with the Stratford family!
Walk-ins welcome, but pre-registration is highly encouraged to let us know you’re coming to help us estimate the attendance for the day. It also guarantees a speedy check-in process when you get here! Pre-registration closes Friday, September 30th at 3pm.
$5 per person. Ages under 2 are free.
Dress for the weather and don’t be afraid to get dirty when you come to the farm! You’re welcome to explore at your leisure and stay as clean as you can or get as messy as you’d like! If you have little kids who might want to explore in our creek or vernal pools, bringing a change of clothes (especially socks) is highly recommended.
Below is a list of recommended items to bring when visiting the farm:
- Hiking, rain, or snow boots depending on the weather
- Long pants are recommended to try to prevent poison ivy – use your own discretion
- Extra change of socks
- Extra change of clothes for kids in case they get extra dirty or wet
- Bug spray
- Sunscreen/sun hat (if applicable)
- Winter hat, gloves, scarf (if applicable)
- Weather appropriate jacket
- Water bottle
- Picnic blanket
- Trash-free lunch if you choose to pack, but most events have food options available.
- Backpack for your gear
We ask that all visitors kindly respect the following policies while visiting the farm:
- Smoking: Smoking is prohibited throughout all of Stratford
- Pets: Pets are not permitted
- Visiting the Animals: Animal enclosures are closed to public visitation and should not be entered without a Stratford guide. You are welcome to go down the designated visiting lanes in the barn, but please make sure to close the gates behind you. Usually during events there is a Stratford guide in the enclosures, they will communicate if/when you would be permitted to enter the enclosures with the animals.
- Wildflowers: Please do not pick the wildflowers – enjoy them in your eyes and your mind where they can last forever, not in your hand where they will quickly die.
- Electric Fences: The pastures are surrounded by live electric fences – please do not touch
- The Farmer’s Property: Do not go near or into the farmer’s house, greenhouse, or garden located on the south side of the property
- COVID Guidelines: Please follow all posted COVID guidelines and maintain a proper distance from others – we ask that you wear a facemask while indoors
- Most Importantly: Connect with Mother Nature and have fun!