Labor Day Weekend On The FarmLive Music Near Gaylord, Michigan
A full band, a free ice cream social, and free admission for first responders. Labor Day weekend at Wilderness Valley Farm, with the whole farm open and every activity included with admission.
Get TicketsOur Thank You
First Responders
Get In Free
Police, fire and EMS get free admission all day on September 5. It is a small thank you from the farm for the work you do the other 364 days.
- Police
- Fire
- EMS
At the gate
Show your department ID or badge. Admission is free for you, and the rest of your party pays the regular rate.
Saturday, September 5 · 10am to 5pm · No pre-registration needed
Included With Every Admission
The Entire Farm Is Open
Your admission covers everything the farm has to offer. Gates open at 10am and close at 5pm.
Animal Encounters
Feed and pet friendly farm animals.
Farm Rides
Hay rides and the barrel train.
Pedal Kart Track
Race the paved loop on pedal powered karts.
Play Areas
Playgrounds and the tractor tire park.
Duck Pond
Ducks on the water and picnic tables along the bank.
Food & Treats
Burgers, waffles and cold drinks, priced separately.
Saturday Of The Holiday Weekend
Special For This Event
Everything below is included with admission. Gates open at 10am, close at 5pm.
Live Music, Full Band
A full band plays the farm through the afternoon. Bring a lawn chair, grab something from the Farm Haus, and settle in.
Free Ice Cream Social
An old-fashioned ice cream social, free with your admission, running through the afternoon.
Rescue Vehicles Up Close
Kids can climb aboard and explore real rescue vehicles, and meet the first responders who drive them.
Not Just The Music
Every Animal And Every Ride, All Day
The band is the headliner, but your admission covers the entire farm from open to close. Come for the music, stay for everything else.
Reindeer, Yaks & Longhorns
Meet Bud the white yak, Lilly the reindeer and Paisley the micro donkey, plus the Longhorns, mini donkeys and free-roaming peacocks.
The Hay Wagon Runs All Day
Tractor-pulled hay rides loop the farm all afternoon, and the barrel cart takes the kids through the apple orchard and lavender runs.
Lunch At The Farm Haus
Burgers, crispy tater tots and cold drinks at the Farm Haus, waffles and doughnut holes at the Waffle Barn, and cider and gifts at the Cider Haus.
Gaylord, MI 49735
If It Is Your First Visit
A Sample Labor Day Saturday
There is no wrong order, but if you want a plan, this one works. Gates open at 10am and close at 5pm.
- Start with the animalsMornings are calm in the pastures. Say hello to Bud, Lilly and Paisley before the afternoon fills in.
- Ride before lunchTake the hay wagon loop, then let the kids run the pedal cart track and the corn pit.
- Lunch at the Farm HausBurgers and tater tots, then a waffle from the Waffle Barn if the kids earned it. They did.
- Settle in for the bandThe music and the free ice cream social run through the afternoon. Find a spot and stay a while.
- One more lapRescue vehicles, the playground, a last look at the reindeer, and the Cider Haus for something to take home.
Up North For The Weekend?
Labor Day Weekend In Gaylord
Labor Day is one of the last big travel weekends of the Northern Michigan summer. If you are up for the holiday, the farm makes an easy Saturday: twenty minutes from downtown Gaylord and the Alpine Village, and a short drive from Otsego Lake. Spend the day here, then head into town for dinner.
Before You Come
Plan Your Labor Day Visit
Labor Day Weekend Admission
One ticket covers the music, the ice cream social, the animals and every activity on the farm.
| Adults (14-59) | $15 |
| Children (3-13) | $10 |
| Seniors (60+) | $10 |
| Children (2 and under) | Free |
| First responders with credentials | Free |
Directions To The Farm
6500 Nicklaus Drive
Gaylord, MI 49735
Twenty minutes from downtown Gaylord in the woods of Otsego County, with on-site parking. An easy drive from Petoskey, Traverse City, Boyne City, Grayling and Alpena for the holiday weekend.
Questions
Labor Day Weekend FAQ
When is the Labor Day event at Wilderness Valley Farm?
Saturday, September 5, 2026, from 10am to 5pm at 6500 Nicklaus Drive, Gaylord, MI 49735. It is the Saturday of Labor Day weekend.
Is the farm open on Labor Day Monday?
No. The farm is open Saturdays only during the fall season, so the celebration happens Saturday, September 5. The farm is closed Sunday and Monday of the holiday weekend.
Do first responders really get in free?
Yes. Police, fire and EMS receive free admission on September 5. Bring your credentials to the gate.
Is the ice cream social included with admission?
Yes. The ice cream social is free with your admission, running through the afternoon alongside the live music.
What else is open on the farm that Saturday?
Everything. The reindeer, Tibetan yaks, Texas Longhorns, donkeys and peacocks, plus hay wagon rides, the pedal cart track, the playgrounds, and the Farm Haus, Waffle Barn and Cider Haus.
What should we bring for the music?
Comfortable shoes, a camera, and a lawn chair or blanket for the band. The ice cream social and everything else on the farm is included with admission.
Who is playing at Labor Day Weekend?
A full band plays through the afternoon. The lineup is announced on the Wilderness Valley Farm Facebook page ahead of the weekend.
Should I buy Labor Day tickets ahead of time?
Buying online before you come is the fastest way through the gate on a holiday weekend Saturday.
Spend The Holiday On The Farm
Live music, free ice cream, and the whole farm open. Saturday, September 5, 10am to 5pm.