Baby Animal Day is returning to the Suffolk County Farm and Education Center in Yaphank on Saturday, May 10, offering a once-a-year opportunity to interact with the farm’s youngest residents.
“This is the only day of the year when you can actually go into the nursery with the baby goats and baby sheep,” said Kaylyn Reynolds, operations coordinator.
In its 23 years, Baby Animal Day has grown into a festival with live music, wagon rides, and food vendors offering a variety of options from roasted sweet corn to wontons, shaved ice, and cheesesteaks.
“We have family games and great kids’ crafts. I believe this year they’re doing a caterpillar pin craft,” Reynolds said.
Throughout the day, the farm will host giveaways, including local honey, farm tumblers, bubbles, and more. Additional activities include “touch a truck” with large vehicles from the police and public works departments, as well as a model aircraft demonstration by the Long Island Flying Eagles.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the entry gates close at 3 p.m., according to the website.
“We obviously get quite a crowd,” Reynolds told South Shore Press, adding that, due to demand, this year the farm will have two nurseries open to the public.
In addition to offering a fun day with baby animals, Saturday’s event serves as a key fundraiser for the farm, which is typically open free to the public throughout the year, operating daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“This is our annual fundraiser for the farm, so 100 percent of the proceeds cover our budget for the year,” Reynolds said. “This money actually pays salaries, animal feed, and all that stuff for the entirety of the year, so it’s definitely crucial for us.”
Tickets are $15 per person for ages 3 and up when purchased online and $20 at the gate. Reynolds encouraged people to register early through the website, noting that the ticket price includes all activities for the day, except for purchases from vendors.
“We try to make this an affordable, fun event for the people of Suffolk,” she said.
The farm also offers year-round activities, including a summer day camp, preschool, and certified nature exploration classroom.
“The farm is STEM, 4-H animal science, and agriculturally based. We do see tens of thousands of visitors a year,” she said.
For more information, visit the website. Suffolk County Farm and Education Center is located at 350 Yaphank Ave.