Hoedown

event

Hoedown: 40 Years

Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 16, 2026 9:00 A.M. EST Saturday – 4:00 P.M. EST Sunday
Watkins Glen, NY

Celebrate with Farm Sanctuary at Hoedown!

This August 15-16, come celebrate four decades of compassion, courage, and change at Farm Sanctuary’s Hoedown: 40 Years!

This special event will bring our movement together for a weekend of renowned speakers, powerful storytelling, compassionate community, and unforgettable moments with our animal residents.

And for the first time ever: You’ll enjoy a behind-the-scenes sanctuary experience! Follow along with our rescue, education, and advocacy teams as they work to save lives, change hearts and minds, and fight factory farming.

Your Hoedown Weekend ticket price includes:

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

All humans welcome!

Speakers

Gene Baur

Gene Baur

President & Co-founder, Farm Sanctuary

Barbara Gates

Barbara Gates

Founder & President, Healthy Kids Happy Planet

Ashley Ingram

Ashley Ingram

Senior Associate Attorney with Earthjustice's Sustainable Food & Farming Program

Zoe Weil

Zoe Weil

President & Co-founder, Institute for Humane Education

Lorena Mucke

Lorena Mucke

Founder and CEO of the Educated Choices Program

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…and more to be announced!

Stay tuned!

Event Information

Campsites

All campsites are located in the large grassy field behind the Visitor Barn and are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis upon arrival.

Each campsite may accommodate up to 5 campers, with 1 tent permitted per campsite.

Vehicles are not permitted on the camping field. Campers will unload their belongings along the road adjacent to the camping area before moving their vehicles to the designated parking lot. Please plan accordingly, as you will not be camping next to your car.

If you are traveling with friends and would like to camp near one another, please let our staff know when you arrive. While group campsites are not available, we can help leave adjacent campsites open when possible, so your group can camp together.

Check In & Check Out

Camping check-in will be available from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on August 14.

If you anticipate arriving after 8:00 p.m. due to travel delays, please contact us in advance so we can assist with your arrival.

Campers may leave and re-enter the campground throughout the weekend.

What to Bring

If you plan to camp at the sanctuary, you are responsible for bringing your own camping equipment, including tents, bedding, flashlights, and any other supplies needed for a comfortable stay. Even in August, nighttime temperatures can be cool, so please come prepared with appropriate clothing, sleeping gear, and weather protection. The camping field offers limited shade, so guests should also plan accordingly for daytime sun exposure.

Drinking water will be available near the campground, and Wi-Fi will be available on-site.

Please note that electrical hookups and charging stations for batteries are not available. If you rely on a charging medical device, please contact us in advance so we can discuss accommodations.

Restrooms & Showers

The Visitor Barn restrooms will be open 24 hours a day, and additional portable restrooms will be available throughout the campground. Traditional shower facilities are not available. However, self-contained and private portable shower systems are permitted. Trash and recycling stations will be conveniently located throughout the camping area.

RVs & Camper Vans

Due to space limitations, RVs and camper vans over 16 feet in length are not permitted on-site.

Limited overnight parking spaces are available for RVs and camper vans under 16 feet in length. Please note that only self-contained RV camping is available at this time; there is no water or electric hookups available. Space is extremely limited and must be approved in advance. The fee is $100/night.

If you are interested in reserving a space, please email [email protected]

Quiet Hours & Community Camping

To help everyone enjoy a restful experience, campground quiet hours will be observed from 11:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.

Please note that festivities associated with the Saturday evening reception may continue into the evening. Guests who are sensitive to noise may wish to bring earplugs or other items to enhance their comfort. Amplified music should be kept to a minimum and must not disturb neighboring campers, event activities, or animal residents.

Food & Beverages

Coolers and outside food are permitted at campsites.

Outside alcohol is not permitted anywhere on sanctuary grounds, including the campground. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase at the event bar. Only alcohol purchased through the event bar may be consumed on-site and within designated event areas.

Accessibility & Safety

Overnight staff will be present throughout the weekend, and basic first-aid supplies will be available.

At this time, dedicated accessible campsites are not available. Guests with accessibility needs are encouraged to contact us in advance so we can discuss available accommodations.

There is no minimum age requirement for camping; however, minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

In the event of severe weather or another emergency, updates will be communicated through email and, if necessary, on-site announcements.

Signage will direct you to the camping area upon arrival and will identify campground amenities, quiet hours, and designated camping sections.

For the safety of our guests, staff, and animal residents:

  • Companion Animals are not permitted in the camping area.
  • Service animals may be accommodated with advance notice.
  • Generators are not permitted.
  • Campfires, charcoal grills, propane stoves, and all other open flames are prohibited.
  • Smoking and vaping are only permitted in designated smoking areas and are not allowed within the campground.
  • Please camp and park only in designated areas.
  • Respect sanctuary property and all animal areas.
  • Help keep the sanctuary beautiful by properly disposing of waste in designated trash and recycling stations.
  • Keep noise levels low, particularly near animal areas and during quiet hours.
  • Harbor Hotel
    • Address: 16 N. Franklin Street, Watkins Glen, NY 14891
    • Phone: (607) 535-6116
    • 10.5 Miles from Farm Sanctuary
  • Lakeside Resort & Bistro
    • Address: 3812 State Route 14, Watkins Glen, NY 14891
    • Phone: (607) 535-4232
    • 11.1 Miles from Farm Sanctuary
  • Watkins Glen Villager Motel
    • Address: 106 E. 4th Street, Watkins Glen, NY 14891
    • Phone: (607) 535-7159
    • 13.1 Miles from Farm Sanctuary
  • Watkins Motel
    • Address: 212 S. Franklin Street, Watkins Glen, NY 14891
    • Phone: (607) 535-4258
    • 11 Miles from Farm Sanctuary
  • Colonial Inn
    • Address: 701 N. Franklin Street, Watkins Glen, NY 14891
    • Phone: (607) 535-7545
    • 10.7 Miles from Farm Sanctuary
  • Blackberry Inn Bed & Breakfast
    • Address: 209 6th St, Watkins Glen, NY 14891
    • Phone: (607) 535-2300
    • 13.3 Miles from Farm Sanctuary
  • The Hotel Laurel
    • Address: 3380 State Route 14, Watkins Glen, NY 14891
    • Phone: (607) 535-2706
    • 10.4 Miles from Farm Sanctuary
  • Black Sheep Inn & Spa
    • Address: 8329 Pleasant Valley Road, Hammondsport, NY 14840
    • Phone: (607) 569-3767
    • 14 Miles from Farm Sanctuary
  • Best Western Hammondsport
    • Address: 8440 State Route 54, Hammondsport, NY 14840
    • Phone: (607) 224-4120
    • 12.8 miles from Farm Sanctuary
  • Trimmer House
    • Address: 145 E Main St, Penn Yan, NY 14527
    • Phone: (585) 315-7659
    • 24.9 Miles from Farm Sanctuary

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 conditions, or other unforeseen circumstances, no action is required to obtain a refund. We will issue a refund to the original payment method used at the time of purchase to all event registrants.

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 unless the event is canceled.

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].

The safety of our guests, team, animal residents, and community is of utmost importance to us.

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.

For the safety of all guests and animal residents, alcohol is not allowed in or around any of the barns or animal pastures at any time.

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