Hoedown

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Hoedown Weekend

Saturday, August 2 and Sunday, August 3, 2025 9:00 A.M. EST Saturday – 4:00 P.M. EST Sunday
Watkins Glen, NY

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Watkins Glen

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Get ready for Farm Sanctuary’s beloved annual event: The Hoedown!

This summer celebration of compassion and community is well-loved for its inspiring speakers, experiences of connection with fellow guests and rescued farm animals, and, of course, delicious vegan food!

Over the last year, hundreds of Farm Sanctuary followers and friends have reached out with a simple question: How do we support farm animals and foster kind and sustainable vegan living in our community? The Hoedown is your opportunity to connect with movement leaders from across the country. It’s also where we’ll be kicking off our national Community Action Network, where you can work hand-in-hand with Farm Sanctuary staff and other advocates to effect meaningful change in your community.

Join us for this year’s event on August 2 and 3 to celebrate, learn, and take action for animals, people, and our planet. Attendees are welcome to camp on our beautiful sanctuary grounds surrounded by rolling hills and preserved forests.

Whether you will be a returning Hoedown regular or a first-time visitor, this is a great opportunity to experience Farm Sanctuary with like-minded people. We look forward to celebrating with you!

All humans welcome!

Hoedown Weekend ticket price includes:

  • Vegan meals from The Kitchen at Farm Sanctuary cafe throughout the weekend, including a continental breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Saturday and a continental breakfast and a farewell lunch on Sunday
  • Admission to all speaker presentations and activities
  • Open sanctuary time with the rescued animals 
  • Access to our camping area on sanctuary grounds

Hoedown Camping

Hoedown Weekend guests are invited to spend the night camping under the stars at Farm Sanctuary! See the info tabs below for more information about camping!

Our camping area will be open from 3:00 P.M. Friday, August 1, until 4:00 P.M. Sunday, August 3.

Featured Event Speakers

Gene Baur

Gene Baur

President and Co-founder, Farm Sanctuary

You won’t want to miss who else is joining us—check back soon for more speaker updates!

Event Information

Hoedown event check-in is on Saturday, August 2, at 9:00 A.M.

If you plan to camp at the sanctuary, you are responsible for bringing your own equipment, including tents, bedding, and flashlights. Even in August, nighttime temperatures can be cool, so please be prepared with appropriate clothing and bedding. 

The Visitor Barn restrooms will be open 24 hours a day, and additional portable restrooms will be available on-site. Please note that access to showers will not be available.

Signage will direct you to the camping area upon your arrival at Farm Sanctuary. Signs will also mark a separate “quiet zone” camping area. For everyone’s safety, please park and camp only in designated areas. We will provide plenty of opportunities throughout the weekend to experience our sanctuary and spend quality time with the animal residents. 

Please be advised that the festivities from the Saturday evening reception may extend into the night. If you expect this will be a problem, please prepare yourself with any items you may need to minimize the disturbance (e.g., earplugs). 

If you prefer hotel lodging, please see our list of local accommodations below. We recommend making reservations as soon as possible since nearby hotels fill up quickly, especially during the busy summer tourism season.

Saturday, August 2, 2025

  • 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Registration and Refreshments
  • 10:00 AM – 10:15 AM: Guided Meditation on Sanctuary, Storytelling, and Community
  • 10:15 AM – 11:00 AM: Welcome Remarks by Gene Baur 
  • 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM: Speaking Presentation
  • 11:45 AM – 12:15 PM : “Build Your Community Action Network” with Sienna Monnier and Miranda Eisen
  • 12:15 PM – 1:30 PM: Vegan Lunch
  • 1:30 PM – 2:15 PM: Speaking Presentation
  • 2:15 PM – 3:00 PM: Meet Your Neighbors: Change Hearts, Minds, and Systems Together
  • 3:00 PM – 5:15 PM: Open Sanctuary Time
  • 5:15 PM – 6:00 PM: Audience Reflections: “Why Vegan, Why Now?” 
  • 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM: Cocktail Hour
  • 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM: Vegan Dinner
  • 7:15 PM: Dinner and Welcome Remarks by Gene Baur 
  • 8:30 PM – 11:00 PM: Dance and Bonfire

Sunday, August 3, 2025

  • 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM: Morning Yoga and Meditation
  • 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Vegan Breakfast
  • 9:00 AM – 9:45 AM: Sanctuary Matters Presentation
  • 9:45 AM – 10:30 AM: Speaking Presentation
  • 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM: Discussion with Gene Baur
  • 11:15 AM – 11:30 AM: Weekend Closing
  • 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Farewell Lunch
  • 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Book Signing
  • 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM: Open Sanctuary Time
  • 3:30 PM: Event Concludes and Shop Closes

Please note that the tour path is not paved. The road through the shelter area is used by farm equipment and is composed mainly of compacted dirt and gravel. The path can be slippery when wet and dusty when dry. Short segments of the tour path have a steep grade. Areas connecting the tour path to the animal enclosures may include grass and uneven terrain.

Please also note that there is limited shade and few areas to sit or rest in the animal areas.

Need additional accommodations? We want to ensure all our guests have a meaningful, safe, and comfortable visit to FarmSanctuary! If you need to make accommodation requests, please email [email protected] before your visit.

Black Sheep & Inn
8329 Pleasant Valley Road Hammondsport, NY 14840
(607) 568-3767
www.stayblacksheepinn.com/accommodations

Hotel Laurel at Seneca
3380 NY-14 Watkins Glen, NY 14891
(607) 535-2706
www.thehotellaurel.com

Watkins Motel
212 S. Franklin St., Watkins Glen, NY 14891
(607) 535-5888
www.watkinsmotel.net

Note that Airbnb and Vrbo rentals are currently available but may be limited closer to the event. We strongly encourage guests to book their accommodations early as there may be limited availability due to an exceptionally busy summer season in the area.

Click here for more area accommodations.

The health and safety of our community are top priorities. If an event is canceled as a safety precaution, due to extreme weather or other unforeseen circumstances, no action is required to obtain a refund. We will refund all event registrants using the original payment method. 

Registration fees are refundable up to two weeks before the event, minus a $45 processing fee. Within two weeks of the event, no refunds will be issued outside of an event cancellation.  

Please contact us at [email protected] to cancel or inquire about a cancellation. For guests who do not arrive on the day of the event, your ticket purchase will be applied as a donation.

For the safety of the animals in our care and yours, we are unable to accommodate your companion animals at the sanctuary.

Service animals are not permitted in certain areas of the sanctuary. Please contact us in advance to make arrangements for your visit.

Diseases are easily transmitted on shoes and even tires. If you have visited another sanctuary, farm, or location with cows, chickens, turkeys, ducks, or geese within 48-72 hours before your visit, or live with any of these species as companion birds, please email [email protected].

Please do not attend the event if you have a fever, cough, respiratory illness, or are experiencing any other symptoms of illness. Thank you in advance for your understanding and patience.

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