Party at the Barn Excited to Open Again in March with Petting Zoo and Spring Events

AURORA, Ohio – Located at 945 Bartlett Road, just a stone's throw from the Aurora Farms Premium Outlets and with Sunny Lake Park as an almost literal backyard neighbor, Party at the Barn has evolved from a personal family passion into a thriving community destination. What began as a simple idea—adding a few chickens to a barn on seven acres—has blossomed into a year-round petting zoo and event venue that prioritizes accessible family fun and animal care.The farm's origin story is rooted in family and spontaneity. When the owners moved from Las Vegas to be closer to family, they purchased the property specifically for its land and existing barn. Their three children saw opportunity where others might see just a structure. "Mom, we have a barn, let's put some animals in there," they suggested. What started with chickens quickly expanded—bunnies came next, then a pony, followed by goats, sheep, and eventually a menagerie of creatures that multiplied both through breeding and strategic acquisitions. As word spread among friends and neighbors, the farm became a natural gathering place, and the owners recognized they had inadvertently created something special.A Pricing Model Built on Parental EmpathyToday, Party at the Barn operates from March through December with a carefully managed ticketing system designed to prevent overcrowding and ensure every visitor has ample space to interact with animals and enjoy activities. The farm's pricing philosophy reflects the owner's personal experience as a parent. "When we were in Vegas, I have three kids. We used to go to a lot of places and I would have to pay for myself. I'm chasing these three kids around," the owner explained. This insight led to a unique pricing model: two free adults accompany each child ticket, with additional adults charged at $15 per person. Adults visiting without children pay $15 per person and receive full access to the petting zoo. This structure means families with two children can bring four adults, and those with three children can bring even more—a refreshing approach in an industry typically designed to maximize per-person revenue.Visitors typically enjoy about an hour at the petting zoo, though the farm accommodates longer stays for special events. Birthday parties extend to two or three hours, and the farm hosts an impressive array of gatherings year-round: baby showers, bridal and bachelorette parties, wedding showers, corporate team-building exercises, and even bunny yoga sessions. The bunny yoga offering has proven particularly popular—a calm, meditative experience where participants practice yoga while bunnies hop around them, creating a uniquely relaxing atmosphere.Exotic Residents and Their StoriesThe farm's animal collection reflects both traditional farm favorites and more exotic residents. Kangaroos, emus, and alpacas have been part of the farm for years, sharing space with ponies, goats, sheep, bunnies, chickens, ducks, turkeys, and a pig. Each animal arrived through different circumstances. The kangaroos came after the owners visited another petting zoo in December and noticed kangaroos thriving in cold weather. They learned the animals were born on-site and purchased a pair, planning to eventually raise joeys of their own. The emus, now three years old, were acquired as one-day-old chicks from an auction and have become beloved farm residents who love being petted and fed. The farm recently discovered that emus begin laying eggs between two and three years old, so baby emus may soon join the collection.The farm also operates a small egg business, selling fresh chicken and duck eggs from the general store during spring and most of the year, with production slowing during colder months when laying decreases.Winter Care for a Diverse MenagerieWinter care for this diverse animal population requires significant dedication and planning. Bunnies are housed inside the general store in heated enclosures where water won't freeze. Kangaroos have heat lamps and closed barn doors for protection. The farm's pig, described as "a freeze baby," is wrapped in blankets and provided with a heat lamp. Interestingly, emus and alpacas actually prefer cold weather and would venture outside if allowed, but the farm keeps them sheltered during the harshest conditions. Ponies, despite loving cold weather, are kept inside with abundant hay and warm water delivered daily—a necessity because even heated buckets freeze as water levels drop. Chickens remain in a warm coop with food, water, and cozy sleeping areas, while ducks enjoy an indoor pool where they can swim and access water continuously. All animals receive regular feeding and extra bedding to maintain warmth.Coffee Shop, Easter Events, and Summer CampsExciting developments are underway for 2026. A new coffee shop is under construction and slated for a potential May opening. The venue will serve ice cream, snow cones, specialty cof