Faulkner's Favorites

Did you know that at Faulkner’s Ranch we have a gift shop located in our Pony Place? Recently, we’ve been adding lots of exciting new items that we like to call our 

Faulkner's Ranch Favorites! 

Here are just a few of our newest favorite things:

We love these MoMo bands. They are made right here in Lee’s Summit and come in so many fun patterns. Get one in horses, daisies, your favorite sports team, and more!

We also have lots of lovable plush toys! These are the perfect gift for a new baby or your favorite niece or nephew.

Want to pick up a present for your favorite baker? Then check out these barn and western themed measuring spoons. We think they would make the perfect gift paired with some cupcake mix and sprinkles!

We also have some of our favorite candle scents available! 

Our kids’ watches come in every color for boys and girls and include lots of adorable western and farm patterns.

Of course, everyone needs a good lookin’ cowboy hat! We have really expanded our selection so you are bound to find the perfect one for you!

Be sure you stop on by and check out everything we have to offer, plus more fall themed decor, this Pumpkin Season!

Have a great day, y’all!

~ Your Friends at Faulkner’s

iFamily KC Kids Club Event

Yesterday we had the pleasure of hosting one of iFamily KC's Kid Club events!

It was such a fun day!

First of all, the weather was beautiful! It had cooled down quite a bit which was wonderful after such a hot spell.   It made it a perfect day to spend outside on the ranch.  It was so nice seeing everyone enjoying themselves on the Wild Western Playground, the bounce house, and playing our ranch recreation games.  

The hayride, zip line, petting farm, and pony rides were also in full swing.

Many of our guests had never been to the ranch before so it was awesome to see them enjoy everything for the first time.

The nice weather also made it great for dining under our picnic pavilion.  The biggest hit from our concession stand were our brand new chicken fingers.

iFamily KC even had a photo op for the movie Shawn the Sheep complete with masks for the kiddos. It was so funny to see them walking around the ranch.  They fit right in...although it may have left our own sheep a little confused. ;)

Of course, Pumpkin the Cat did her job as Ranch Ambassador.  She greeted everyone as they entered and graciously allowed the guests to spoil her with lots of pets and attention.

  Granted, she fell asleep in the basket that we were using to hand out the parent packages.  

We'll forgive her for it though - after all, the queen needs a throne!

At the end of the day we also had a drawing for 4 Pumpkin Season tickets, as well as a puzzle and stickers from the Disney movie "Inside Out" that were provided by iFamilyKC.  We can't wait to call the lucky winner, Christine Diener!  

All in all, yesterday was just a blast.

We had such a great time showing off our beloved ranch to everyone.

Thanks again to iFamily KC for joining us at Faulkner's Ranch! We can't wait to do it again!

Want to take part in all the fun that the ranch has to offer?  Then be sure to visit us this Pumpkin Season!  It's gonna be a blast!

Have a great day, y'all!

~ Your Friends at Faulkner's

Meet Pumpkin!

Howdy y’all!

We think it’s about time that we formally introduce one of our favorite furry friends here at Faulkner’s Ranch.  After all, she does appear on our Instagram at least a few times a week, so ya might as well learn how she became such a wonderful part of our ranch family.

Meet Pumpkin the Barn Cat!

"Howdy!"

Oh, sweet Pumpkin! Where to even begin?  She is everyone’s favorite and has THE BEST personality.  She is like a dog in a cat’s body (no offense to cats!).  She follows the ranch hands around the ranch and will actually obey when they ask her to stay outside the banquet barn and kitchen as they go in and out (she’s very polite).  She is also very confident.  When she walks into a room, she automatically assumes that everyone is glad to see her. Guess what? She’s right!  Whenever we hear the bell from her collar jingling we get excited because we know that Pumpkin isn’t far away.

Pumpkin appeared at Faulkner’s Ranch last year during the final week of September, right before Pumpkin Season (hence the name).  She eventually found her way into the arms of some ranch hands who instantly fell in love with her.  They snuck her into the pony barn, where she became very comfortable greeting guests and receiving TONS of attention.  Before we knew it, she had made the ranch her home!  It wasn’t uncommon during Pumpkin Season to see her being carried around by guests all over the play area.  It was official - she owned the place!

She's great at helping sort inventory ;)

That’s when we knew it was time to make her really feel at home.  We fixed up our old chicken coop where she currently resides with her roommate, Carmie the Rabbit.  We renamed their home the “cabbit" - pretty clever, huh?

She spends her days roaming the ranch and sunning on the warm concrete.  During events she stays in her cabbit and we get her out for guests to meet her if they wish.

One of the things that we love the most about her is that she is always finding ways to make us laugh out loud - especially because we are always finding her in the most unusual places.  It’s not uncommon to open a cabinet and hear a little meow or to find her snuggled up with the plush animals in the gift shop.  She also loves to sit on our desk and stare out the windows at the birds.

If only we could teach her how to answer the phones...

The only problem we have found with Pumpkin is that she is too cute and is always posing in the most adorable ways just begging us to pick up our cameras and capture another picture of her.  It can be pretty distracting when we need to get work done!

Employee of the Month

So the next time you’re out at the ranch, be sure to ask us where Pumpkin is! She’d love to meet ya!

Have a great day, y’all!

~ Your Friends at Faulkner’s

Lately At the Ranch

Howdy y'all!

It's been awhile since we've shared some stuff over here, but just you wait - we have lots of exciting blogs coming up in the next few weeks!

In the meantime, here are a few things that have been happening around the ranch...

• Last month we wrapped up our Holiday Party Season.  We always have a few January parties (a great alternative to the December party if you're already thinking about what your company is going to do next year).  These parties were an absolute blast! We can't wait to share our favorite details about them with you, so stay tuned.
  
• We have been under construction! Our new catering kitchen has taken longer to build than expected, but it is almost done, y'all! We are just putting the finishing touches on it before we give you the big reveal.  As of this past week two fryers, a 4-burner stove top, smoker, freezer, fridge, prep tables, and a dishwasher are all installed.  Here's a sneak peak of all the stainless steel beauty:
  
• In January and February we hosted three Barn Warmings.  These Open Houses are the perfect opportunity for our brides to see the banquet barn all dressed up, meet some of our favorite vendors, and sample our delicious wedding menu.  Plus, we got to show off some of the new projects we've been working on, like this old door turned chalkboard sign up-cycle that will be perfect for wedding season.  
  
  What do you think?

• Speaking of weddings, we are currently transforming the house on the ranch into a Bridal Changing Cottage.  This will be the perfect place for our brides and their wedding parties to get ready the day of.  Check out this sweet little detail we just added to it. Cowboy Tim found it at the Greenwood Antique Store for only $15! We just love little treasures like this!
  
• Winter has been all about the Pony Parties over here.  Guests get the full Pony Party experience AND stay warm in our heated Pony Party Barn.  The mama's and papa's have been out of this world lately with their creativity.  We have so many fun ideas to share with you in the next few weeks.  Just check out this amazing cake made by Cami's Cakes in Eudora, KS:
  
• Did we tell you that we had a new baby?! Meet George.  This is really early for a lamb to be born, but don't worry - this little guy is staying nice and cozy in our heated petting farm with its mama and family.  And no, you're not mistaken.  He is the cutest thing ever.

• We've also been 'sprucin the place up and planted some new trees...
  
• Oh, and we got some new toys too!
  
• And last, but not least, we're not jealous that Bob and Marilyn are enjoying some time in Florida.

Nope, not jealous at all.

Anyway, that's what we have been up to.  What about you???

Have a great day, y'all!

~ Your Friends at Faulkner's

Under Construction!

We've got something exciting underway!

If you came out to Faulkner's Ranch this Pumpkin Season, you might have noticed a little construction going on...

Welp, what you were seeing was the beginning of our
BRAND NEW CATERING KITCHEN!

Food brings people together and we love the catering team that we have assembled.  We have put a lot of time, energy, and most importantly love into the menu items that we serve.  

That is why we are so excited to build this catering kitchen so that the food can be prepared and served fresh adjacent to the banquet barn and picnic pavilion.  This kitchen has been designed to suit our needs based on the specific menu items we will serve.  It will even have a smoker built right into the kitchen to permit smoking food in any weather from the comforts of inside!  How awesome is that?!  But wait, it gets better!  It will also have a concessions area to service that need during our Pumpkin Season.  Thankfully it'll be done way before next year's Pumpkin Season.  In fact, the catering kitchen will be ready to use just in time for our Holiday Parties! 

Needless to say, we are so, so, so excited about this new addition! We can't wait for you to experience all of the yumminess that it will bring!

Have a great day, y'all!

~ Your Friends at Faulkner's

Meet JJ

Y’all, today is your lucky day!  Today you get to meet one of the most awesome behind the scenes gals here at Faulkner’s Ranch.  

Meet Jennifer Flint aka JJ!

JJ has been with us for a few years so we thought it was about darn time that y’all get to know her.  Plus, today is her birthday!! What a better day to celebrate JJ than today!

Anyway, we asked her some questions for the old bliggity blog.

Check out here answers right here!

1.  Howdy JJ, can you tell us a little bit about yourself? I have been working at the ranch for nearly 2 years now - I think I'm officially "adopted" into the Faulkner's family?! I'm originally from Saint Louis, MO. I am married and have 4 children (future ranch hands) and we live in Lee's Summit.  I love to exercise and spend time outdoors with the family!

2.  What is your job at Faulkner’s Ranch?  My job at Faulkner's is hard to define - I would say an assistant is probably best. I help support the team - that's what I do best!

3.  What is your favorite/most rewarding part of working at Faulkner’s Ranch?  My favorite and most rewarding part of working at the Ranch is seeing people/customers happy to be here relaxing and having a good time with their friends and family. No matter what the event - field trips, weddings/receptions, picking out a pumpkin - everyone arrives and leaves the ranch happy - and that makes me happy!

4.  You get to work with lot of awesome guests at the ranch so you must have some fun stories.  What is one of your favorites?  We just hosted a wedding reception recently here at the ranch and had a really special moment with the guests. Near the end of the reception, our DJ played "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" - and every guest was on their feet, holding hands, singing and dancing around the barn! They even grabbed our staff members to include in the fun! It was a really special moment to watch a family come together like that in celebration.

5.  What are you looking forward to the most at Faulkner’s Ranch for the rest of 2014?  For 2014, I'm most looking forward to watching the business expand. I've been here for two years - and known the Faulkner's personally for years - and it's amazing to watch their business grow and flourish. They are a wonderful, hard-working family and they love what they do. I am grateful I get to be a part of getting the word out about the Ranch!

6.  Of course, we have to ask...what is your favorite country song?  Ok - the hardest question of them all - but I have to go back to a great party song - "Country Girl, Shake It for Me." It's hard to pick just one - but that always gets the boots on the dance floor!

We are so lucky to have JJ as a part of our Faulkner family!  Happy Birthday, JJ!  You’re the best!

Have a great day, y’all!

~ Your Friends at Faulkner’s

Word From the Herd: Meet Lisa!

With the Company Picnic Season in full swing, we couldn’t think of a better time to introduce and put the spotlight on one of the nicest and most hard-working people at Faulkner's Ranch,

Lisa Frogge, our newest Event Coordinator!  

Lisa has been a part of our Faulkner's Ranch family for awhile now, so we thought it was about time ya'll meet her and get to see first-hand just how great she is.

Read on for a little Q&A with this awesome lady!

Howdy Lisa, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?  I am married to Doug and have two daughters, Katie (age 16) and Jillian (age 11). I previously was an executive assistant and have been the wedding coordinator at FBC Lee's Summit for the past 12 years.  I still do the wedding coordinating on a part time basis.

What is your job at Faulkner’s Ranch?  My job title is "Event Coordinator" which means I do everything from setting up events with clients to wiping down tables!

What is your favorite/most rewarding part of working at Faulkner’s Ranch?  My favorite part of my job is seeing an event come together and the guests having a good time.  And of course, I have the BEST co-workers! 

You’ve actually been coming to the Pumpkin Farm for awhile.  Can you tell us about that?  I've been coming to Faulkner's since Katie was a baby! I've been on numerous school field trips with the girls to the Pumpkin Farm when they were younger and always enjoyed picking out pumpkins to take home with us.

Katie - October 2002

Katie & Jillie - October 2003

You get to work with lot of awesome guests at the ranch so you must have some fun stories.  What is one of your favorites?  At my first big event, I went up to check on the petting farm and the goats had escaped from their pen!  I spent the next several minutes chasing goats and luring them back into their pen (thank goodness they are greedy for feed). After coming from a corporate environment in my last full time job, I got a good laugh out of the fact that I was having so much fun goat wrangling!

What are you looking forward to the most at Faulkner’s Ranch for 2014?  I've enjoyed meeting so many new people and look forward to welcoming them to Faulkner's for their special events. I love the fact that each and every event at the Ranch is a celebrated as someone's birthday, wedding or picnic. No two are the same and we get to see people relax and have a good time together.

Isn't she just the coolest?!  Thanks again to Lisa for this awesome interview!

Have a great day, y'all!

~ Your Friends at Faulkner's

An Exciting Announcement!

We are excited to announce that we have a brand new Company Picnic package available this year!

We checked in with Cowgirl Christine to catch the latest on this fun new choice.

Why did you decide to do a new package this year?

Each year we like to develop a new themed picnic package.  Many of our picnic clients are repeats so by changing the theme each year gives their guests something new to look forward too.  Each themed package includes food and activities relevant to that theme.  For example, the Wild Western picnic package includes delicious BBQ, the mechanical bull, and a mini rodeo at the end that includes our roller roper, cow milking contest, and ranch Frisbee throw!  Our Wild Western Picnic clients like to take the theme and run with it.  It's fun to see them encouraging everyone to dress Western for a "Best Dressed" contest or hire a photographer and provide hats, bandannas, mustaches, and other props for fun party pics.  

We are really excited about this year's new theme, The Country Fair, which is based off of the traditional county fair.

Where did you get your inspiration for this year’s theme?

We drew tons of inspiration for this new package on Pinterest!

One neat idea that we will be doing is hanging pennants on the bandstand for decor.  We will also be encouraging companies to bring their own pennants and banners to hang. 

What can guests expect with the Country Fair Package?

In this package the first hour is spent playing our Midway games with carnival prizes included and enjoying cotton candy, popcorn, and either a fresh squeezed lemonade or root beer float at the adorable stand.

The Ranch J in this package not only plays music but acts as a "barker" during the Midway games, straw hat and all!  

The Country Fair picnic package includes 5 ranch style midway games, but we offer even more on our Ranch Specialties and Extras page. 

Guest should come hungry! What is on the menu?

Food is a HUGE part of any county fair!  That is why we chose to serve cotton candy and popcorn right from the start.  The buffet includes our delicious pulled pork slider sandwiches, nachos, corn on the cobb, and seasonal fruit cobbler with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.  We have a long list of additional menu choices to consider adding.  One really exciting addition is our new partnership with the Funnel Cake Truck  (listed under FUN Food Additions).  How fun is that to have the funnel cake truck pull up to your company picnic?  We just know that our guests are going to love it!

YUM! (image via)

What other fun activities can guests look forward to?

Of course we included our friendly petting farm animals, adorable pony rides, and moonwalk into the package.  We also decided to include the pedal karts.  We love the pedal karts because the seats are adjustable so they are fun for adults too!  In fact in the third hour of the picnic, those pedal karts will be used for our mini tractor pull!  Yes, the racers will choose a volunteer to be pulled in a little red wagon behind the pedal kart.  The first one to the finish line wins.  

Speaking of winners - everyone loves to win at a cake walk, right?!  Well, we have included a cupcake walk into the package!  We can't forget about the Pie Eating Contest too.  The Country Fair package guarantees that guests will have a great time from start to finish!

For more information on our how EASY it is to plan a Company Picnic at Faulkner's Ranch, click here.

For more details on our four exclusive Company Picnic Packages, click here. 

Have a great day, y'all!

~ Your Friends at Faulkner's