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Saddle up for a country Christmas at Renshaw Farm | TribLIVE.com
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Saddle up for a country Christmas at Renshaw Farm

Joyce Hanz
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Joyce Hanz
Santa receives a tour of Renshaw Farms from owner Jason Renshaw as preparations are underway for the inaugural Christmas Festival — scheduled on Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays Dec.2-17.
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Joyce Hanz
Santa kicks up his boots on the hay slide, one of numerous attractions for the kiddos at Renshaw Farms.
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Joyce Hanz
Miniature donkey Bubba and resident horse Frank greet Santa in the pasture at Renshaw Farms in Freeport. Many farm animals will be available for petting and viewing.
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Joyce Hanz
The expansive indoor barn venue at Renshaw Farms will offer meet and greets with Santa and dining options.
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Joyce Hanz
Attendees are asked to bring their cameras for photo ops with Santa to Renshaw Farms for the inaugural Christmas Festival — scheduled on Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays Dec.2-17.

Christmas is going country.

Renshaw Farm's first annual Christmas Festival kicks off Dec. 2 — offering country-inspired Christmas activities for all ages at the 300-plus acre farm in South Buffalo Township.

Established in 1834, family owned and operated Renshaw Farms has garnered a reputation for hosting an annual pumpkin fest, one of the largest in the Alle-Kiski Valley.

Sixth-generation farmer/owner Jason Renshaw says feedback from visitors prompted him and wife Jamie to expand the farm offerings into the holiday season.

“Many families who come out to enjoy our pumpkin festival ask us if we ever considered doing a Christmas event,” Jason Renshaw says. “We have the infrastructure complete with the pumpkin festival, so all we have to do is convert pumpkin paradise into a country Christmas.”

Fresh-cut Christmas trees, wreaths and garland will be available for purchase. A country Christmas gift store will offer jams, novelty items and holiday foods.

“We just want to have a great family event where everyone can enjoy a day at the farm, and get to see Santa,” Renshaw says.

Test your aiming skills by hurling apples across a farm pond, aiming at Christmas “villains” such as Scrooge, the Abominable Snowman and the Grinch ($3 per bucket).

Farm animals such as goats, sheep, miniature donkeys, pigs and horses will be dressed in their best Christmas attire and available for viewing.

A pancake and sausage Santa breakfast (9 to 11 a.m.) inside the farm's rustic spacious indoor event venue is available. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at the ready with a gold-themed tapestry background and giant Christmas tree providing a lovely backdrop for photos. Other activities include haybale slides, mini-Christmas golf and a walk-through Who-Ville area and encounters with the Grinch

The weekend lunch menu will offer pork barbecue, Black Angus hot dogs, chili and cheese fries, mac n' cheese, holiday desserts and more.

Tractor-driven hay rides will run continuously and Renshaw reminds everyone to dress for the outdoors, even though ample indoor activities are available. A large bonfire outside will provide a cozy spot to warm up.

Evan Williams of Penn Hills says the event is worth the drive for him and his family.

“Hands down Renshaw Farms always goes above and beyond for Halloween, and it is well worth the drive to come out there. My girls always look forward to it. I can't wait to see this new event down on the farm,” Williams says.

Renshaw says he is already thinking ahead for additions to next year's Christmas festival, with plans to add a live Nativity scene.

Joyce Hanz is a Tribune-Review contributing writer.