Ready for a day full of fuzzy faces, wagging tails, and happy kids?
Meet the Animals is the grand opening of our 2026 petting zoo at Cowgirl Up Ranch — and it's going to be a blast! Come meet Rocco the Camel, Julian the Emu, and a whole crew of friendly goats, pigs, sheep, horses, chickens, and more. Pet them, feed them, snap a million adorable photos, and enjoy a relaxed, fun-filled day on the ranch.
You don't need to know anything about animals. You don't need to stay the whole time. You just need to show up ready to have a great time — because the animals are waiting to meet you!
What This Event Is
This is a drop-in family fun day where kids (and grown-ups!) can get up close with all kinds of amazing animals in a safe, friendly environment.
It's the grand opening of our 2026 petting zoo, which means you'll meet animals who are calm, friendly, and ready for visitors. From Rocco the gentle camel to Julian the curious emu, every animal here has a personality you'll love.
There's no set schedule — families can arrive anytime between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM, explore at their own pace, and leave whenever they're ready. Come for an hour or stay all day — it's totally up to you!
Here's what's happening:
🔸 Meet Rocco the Camel — Learn fun facts about camels and get a chance to pet this big, gentle guy (showtime at 11:00 AM)
🔸 Meet Julian the Emu — Find out what makes emus so cool (they're Australian, super fast, and full of personality!) (showtime at 12:00 PM)
🔸 Petting zoo fun with goats, pigs, sheep, ducks, chickens, horses, Sully the 25-year-old tortoise, and Mocha the cow
🔸 Games and face painting for the kids
🔸 Riding demonstration from our talented adaptive riders
🔸 Tons of photo ops — your phone camera is going to be BUSY!
This is a day for families to explore, laugh, and make memories together — no rushing, no pressure, just good vibes and great animals.
The Schedule
This is a drop-in event, which means there's no strict schedule to follow. Show up anytime between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM, hang out as long as you want, and leave when you're ready.
Here's the flow:
🔸 10:00 AM — Gates open!
The petting zoo is ready, the animals are out, and you're free to explore, pet, feed, and snap photos to your heart's content.
🔸 11:00 AM — Meet Rocco the Camel
A quick, fun presentation where you'll learn cool camel facts and get up close with Rocco. Kids are going to love this!
🔸 12:00 PM — Meet Julian the Emu
Discover what makes emus so awesome (hint: they're fast, curious, and totally unique). Another chance to get up close and ask questions.
🔸 All day long:
Games, face painting, a riding demo from our adaptive riders, and plenty of time to just relax, picnic, and enjoy the ranch vibe.
🔸 1:00 PM — Event wraps up
There's no wrong way to enjoy this day. Stay the whole time or pop in for an hour — whatever works for your family!
What to Bring & What We’ll Provide
What to bring:
🔸 Comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes (it's a ranch — expect some dust and dirt!)
🔸 Sunscreen, hats, and water bottles
🔸 A picnic blanket (we have a few tables, but space is limited)
🔸 Your camera or phone — you'll want pics!
🔸 A picnic lunch, or pre-order a brown bag lunch when you register
What we'll provide:
🔸 All the animals, all the fun, all day long
🔸 Games and face painting
🔸 A riding demonstration from our adaptive riders
🔸 A friendly, welcoming atmosphere where families can relax and have fun
If you pre-order a brown bag lunch (turkey or vegetarian sandwich, fruit, chips, cookie, water — $10), it'll be ready for pickup when you arrive.
Arrival Note:
Gates open at 15 minutes before our 10:00 am start time (9:45 am). The ranch gates remain closed until then and parking is not available before then.
If you arrive early, you’re welcome to enjoy a coffee in Valley Springs or wait at the Burson Market just a few minutes away — they have lovely drinks and snacks.
A Few Helpful Things to Know
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Yes! Kids of all ages are welcome. Our animals are calm, friendly, and used to families. Just keep an eye on your little ones — it's a working ranch, so adult supervision is required.
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Nope! Most families who visit have never been around farm animals before. Our team will be around to help and answer questions.
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Absolutely! Bring a picnic and make a day of it. We have a few tables, but bringing your own blanket is smart. You can also pre-order a lunch when you register.
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Brown bag lunches are not gluten-free or vegan, and they're made in a facility that processes nuts. If you have dietary restrictions, just bring your own food — no problem!
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Yes! Cowgirl Up Ranch is a working ranch, and safety comes first. You'll get a quick orientation when you arrive, and our team will be around all day. All participants need a signed waiver to enter.
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This is an outdoor event. If the weather looks unsafe, we'll email everyone and reschedule.
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Yes! Go wild with the photos. Just be respectful of other families and ask before snapping pics of kids who aren't yours.
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Cowgirl Up Ranch is at 11568 Arapaho Way, Burson, CA 95225. For directions, parking info, and a map, check out: https://www.horsespeakinc.org/before-you-arrive
Questions Before Registering?
Got questions or want to make sure this is the right fit for your family? Just reach out — we're happy to help!
CONTACT US
Tickets
📍 Location: Cowgirl Up Ranch
📅 Saturday, May 30, 2026
⏰ Time: 10.00AM–1.00PM - Gates open at 15 mins prior
👥 Group size: Large
🎂 All ages welcome (ages 3 and under are free)
🪙 $35 per person
Ticket Pricing:
🔸 Family Ticket (up to 2 adults + 3 kids ages 4–17) — $50
🔸 Single Adult + 1 Child — $20
🔸 Individual Adult (18+) — $15
🔸 Individual Child (ages 4–17) — $12
🔸 Additional Adult (add to Family Ticket) — $10
🔸 Additional Child (add to Family Ticket) — $5
🔸 Ages 3 and under — FREE (please register for headcount)
Brown Bag Lunch Add-On (pre-order with your ticket):
🔸 Turkey Sandwich — $10
🔸 Vegetarian Sandwich — $10
Important:
All participants need a signed liability waiver on file.
We'll email it to you after you register, or you can sign it when you arrive.
Tickets are non-refundable, as space and preparation are held intentionally for each person. Please note: credit card payments incur a 3.5% processing fee. If you have questions before registering, you’re welcome to reach out.