Celebrate Christmas at the Niederman Family Farm in Liberty Township in Ohio

Do you ever get tired of Christmas decorations in stores, placed to sell you something for Christmas before Thanksgiving, or the crowded stores with people fighting over gifts on Black Friday? Would you like to celebrate the real meaning of Christmas? If so, you can see almost a million Christmas lights, more than 20 life size and larger than life scenes from the Old and New Testament, and Christmas music for free at the Niederman Family Farm in Liberty Township Ohio in Southeastern Ohio. There is plenty to do at the rest of the year at the working farm also.

The Niederman Family Farm has been educating families about American agriculture four generations. Hay rides, farm tours, bonfire pits, chances to plant the pumpkin patch, barn rentals, paintball courses, and a bed and breakfast are available.

The free Christmas tour at the Niederman Family is a half mile long. More than 50 outdoor speakers play Christmas music every day from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. from the day after Thanksgiving until the end of December. There is a real manger with a baby Jesus in it.

If you take the tour, you will see 10-foot angels blowing trumpets and guiding you into a large, heated barn. You will receive hot cocoa, cookies, and entertainment--all for free. The festivities include a popular regional orchestra, DJ's from a Christian radio station, and other entertainers, including a jazz band, string groups, church choirs, string groups, family programs, and children's programs.

"We have a wide variety of wonderful professional music groups and children's groups volunteer to perform for free so they, too, can give the gift of giving to celebrate the season," Bethann Niederman said on the website, ohiotraveler.com.

In nearby barns, visitors see donkeys, llamas, lambs, bunnies, ducks, chickens, pigs, and other animals typically found in barns.

You will also see beautifully crafted life-sized figurines act out well known Biblical scenes. At the end of the tour you will see red roses inside a barn with Christmas goodies and entertainment. Many people who have visited have said they can't believe the tour is free. The tour is available because of hundreds of volunteers and annually draws 10,000 people.

There is plenty to do at Niederman Family Farm throughout the year as well.

During spring tours, many young people learn about farming. Visitors can see a working farm and have the chance to see the many new farm animals born at that time of year. The Niedermans believe Americans often no longer appreciate the significant impact farming has on the American way of life.

Visitors may get their first chance to milk a cow or take a hayride. They can also roast hot dogs or make S'mores.

You can learn about something you might never expect to on the farm: paintball. Four courses are offered. You can have fun with family, co-workers, and friends.

During the fall, visitors can experience the 22 acre corn maze and much more. Admission is $9. You can win a prize for answering trivia questions you will hear along the way. People drive a long way to see the maze. Hayrides are offered. You can also plant pumpkin seeds in the pumpkin patch, as well as picking your own and carving. There are a lot of barnyard animals to entertain your children. In the evening you can go to the bonfire pit and enjoy a weenie roast, S'mores, cotton candy, kettle corn, and caramel apples.

Niederman Family Farm also provides an entertaining spot for a birthday party of from 20-30 people in its picnic pavilion. The two hour parties include animal visits, a play area, food, tunnels, a giant ship, and more things to explore.

Facilities can also be rented for reunions, corporate events, events for day care centers, and home school groups. The farm features bon fire pits, a huge children's playground, a climbing hill for children and much more.

Niederman Family Farm is much more than just a farm, as you will find out if you live in the area, or are visiting and take part of your vacation there.

Citations:

Christmas Pilgrimage, no author listed, ohiotraveler.com

Niederman Family Farm, no author listed, niedermanfamilyfarm.com