easy
8 hours
Minimal physical activity required; suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
Discover Kentucky’s one-of-a-kind BBQ Festival VIP experience at The Reindeer Farm in Bowling Green. Enjoy mouthwatering local BBQ, up-close reindeer encounters, live music, and a day immersed in bluegrass culture—all outdoors and family-friendly.
Reindeer Encounter
Join us for the first annual BBQ festival at The Reindeer Farm, featuring delicious Kentucky BBQ, local craft vendors, and live music! Experience unforgettable encounters with reindeer, learn about them, and capture memorable photos. Enjoy family-friendly activities, games, and a chance to vote for the People’s Choice BBQ award!
The Reindeer Farm is excited to announce our first annual BBQ festival! We are very excited to partner with Kentucky Pitmasters, B.H. James Distillers, Carriage House Vineyards and local craft vendors. This will be a family-friendly event, where guest can experience The Reindeer Farm and use their sampling tickets to try great Kentucky BBQ.
This ticket includes meeting your favorite reindeer up close and personal! These group tours will consist of maximum of thirty-five guests. These are on a strict schedule; you must be on time for this event. Bring your boots and let’s get in the pen with some Reindeer! We will start out learning about them, get some memorable photos and hang out with them! It’s all about the REINDEER! These encounters are 30 minutes in length with memories that last forever! Reindeer encounters book fast so plan your visit today! Enjoy the rest of the farm before or after your reindeer encounter during our normal business hours! Make sure to dress for the weather this is an outside event! We look forward to your visit!
All Encounter Tickets/Non Samplers: Meet some of the reindeer up-close PLUS: See alpacas, mini cows, mini horses, mini donkeys, mini pigs, holland lop rabbits, chickens and Mack the Mule! Play at the indoor playground or visit the gift shop. Coloring station, outdoor games, children's movies and LIVE music all day! Allie Collen is headlining the event. Enjoy a game of corn hole, mega chess, the bounce house or cozy up by the fire pit! Don’t forget your camera there will be many photo opportunities! Let the kids ride the Reindeer Express or gather around Karaoke and sing your favorite songs! Holiday HOOPS, Snowball Fight (dodgeball) and BBQ!! Free wine and bourbon tasting for guests of legal age (Drinks by the glass and bottles available for purchase). Make sure to check out and shop with all our craft vendors! Tickets are good for the entire day, come anytime during our normal business hours and stay as long as you like until close!
BBQ Samplers: You get to enjoy the above and will receive 6 sampling tickets to try 2oz portions of any meat sample being offered at any of the 5 BBQ vendors. Additional sampling tickets available for purchase. Meals will also be available for purchase from vendors on site. All sampling guests will be given a ticket to cast their vote for the People’s Choice BBQ award. YOU will be helping us crown the winner!
LIVE MUSIC Line Up Keith Kinkade 11:00 - 1:00 Riley Schiff 1:00 - 3:00 Allie Colleen 3:00 - 5:00 Sydney Adams 5:00 - 7:00
Plan to arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled reindeer meeting to ensure full participation in the 30-minute pen experience.
The festival is held outdoors; wear appropriate layers and footwear for changing conditions in Bowling Green during the event.
To protect the reindeer’s health, change clothes and shoes if you’ve recently been around goats or sheep before entering the encounter area.
For safety and comfort of both visitors and reindeer, strollers and car seats aren’t allowed in the pen during the encounter.
The Reindeer Farm brings a rare Arctic species to Kentucky, blending local agricultural tradition with international wildlife interest.
Strict hygiene protocols at the farm ensure reindeer health by preventing cross-contamination from other livestock, demonstrating their commitment to animal welfare.
Essential for walking around the farm and standing during the BBQ tasting and reindeer encounter.
Layered clothing keeps you comfortable throughout variable spring or fall weather in Kentucky.
Protect your skin during this full-day outdoor event, especially in summer months.
summer specific
Capture memorable close-ups of the reindeer and the festival atmosphere.