The Rock Ranch, a 1,250-acre cattle ranch owned by Chick-fil-A founder S. Truett Cathy, will officially open its doors for the 2006 fall season with a two-day grand-opening event entitled “Wagon Wheel Weekend” Oct. 13 and 14. The season also marks the first year that The Rock Ranch will offer general admission in addition to its normal policy of reservation-based group events. General admission will be $9 for adults and $7 for children 15 and under (children under 3 are free) and includes all activities and attractions. To commemorate the opening, The Rock Ranch will provide a free jack-o-lantern-size pumpkin to each family to visit on Oct.13 and 14.

Grand-opening festivities will kick off on Friday with the Rock Ranch Hot Air Balloon Rally, sponsored by Ferrell Gas. Weather permitting, 13 hot air balloons will have a competition flight starting at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 13, followed on Saturday, Oct. 14, with an 8 a.m. morning flight and a balloon glow at 6:30 p.m. The weekend also will include the inaugural Wagon Wheel Arts and Crafts festival, which kicks off on Saturday, Oct. 14, at 9:30 a.m. The festival will feature hand-made arts and crafts from a variety of vendors from around the region.

Hours of operation are Fridays from 5-10 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m.–10 p.m., between Sept. 30 and Nov. 18. The Rock Ranch is closed on Sundays.

For 2006, The Rock Ranch will feature a wide variety of interactive, educational and family-based events, activities and programs for its guests. Making its return to The Rock Ranch this season is the “Integrity Matters” corn maze that bears the likeness of S. Truett Cathy and includes stories and lessons in good values that provide guests with clues to help them solve the maze.

In addition to the maze, guests will find a variety of activities and attractions, including locomotive train rides, hay rides, pony rides and musical entertainment.

“This year, we’re thrilled to give guests such a wide variety of activities, making a visit to The Rock Ranch well worth the trip,” said Jeff Manley, director of The Rock Ranch. “As people grow less and less familiar with a farm environment, we strive to use our agricultural setting and our entertaining activities as a link to an important way of life that our forebears knew well, but now is in danger of being forgotten.”

“We also hope to create an opportunity for families to spend quality time together and have a positive impact by providing them with quality role models and educational and entertaining programs that can create positive life memories,” added Manley.

For reservations, contact The Rock Ranch at 706-647-6374 or visit www.therockranch.com.

login to post comments