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• Where the Midwest meets the North Pole: Hardy's Reindeer Ranch

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Hardy's Reindeer Ranch. Photo by Alan Hable

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You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen. But, do you recall the most famous reindeer ranch of all? Hardy's Reindeer Ranch, of course, where the Midwest meets the North Pole. A herd of Alaskan reindeer play host to visitors from across the nation who seek to escape a fast-paced world and enjoy a relaxing day in the country at this most unusual attraction.

In 1995, three large, century-old barns were painted the red of Rudolf's nose and were rebuilt on a farm in Rantoul, Ill., making Julie and Mike Hardy's dream ranch come alive. A country barn gift shop is heated by a two-story potbelly stove and sells a range of knick-knacks and souvenirs such as Christmas ornaments, real fur rugs and even homemade pumpkin fudge. A western-style banquet hall provides real country cooking and western entertainment to groups as large as 150 for company picnics, reunions, receptions and bus tours alike. Finally, the third barn is home to the 16 magical creatures from the North.

The Hardys purchased their first two reindeer 13 years ago to help sell Christmas trees on their farm. Due to the success and sales the reindeer brought, they traveled to Alaska two years later and bought 14 more reindeer. In order to bring the reindeer back with them, they were put into crates and shipped back in planes to central Illinois. "So it's true," Mark Hardy said. "Reindeer really do fly."

A great place to take kids, the ranch features a slew of reindeer games for only a few bucks — dollars that is, not reindeer. In the fall, tours offer the chance to get up close and personal with the reindeer, while hay rides and pedal race carts supply the entire family with fun. A 10-acre corn maze in the shape of a galloping Rudolf provides two hours of entertainment as you race to hit eight check points named appropriately for Santa's eight reindeer. Up for a challenge? Mazes are available by moonlight, too.

The corn maze costs $6, but children ages 4 and under are free. The reindeer tour, hay ride and pedal race carts are $3 per activity, but to those adventure seekers interested in all the activities, the ranch features a deal called the "Triple Play," including the corn maze and choice of two additional activities for only $10.

Around the middle of November, Hardy's switches gears as Christmas nears. 5,000 Christmas trees make a beautiful winter setting for groups and individuals to enjoy, and the reindeer tours continue even as the snow begins to fall.

The ranch is closed to the general public from January to August, but the banquet hall is available to groups all year long. Beef brisket, calico beans, sweet and sour slaw and hot apple pie are served to watering mouths while music and comedy are provided to the group with audience participation as a requirement. Last year alone, the ranch saw more than 70 different groups.

Lunch and dinner packages are available to groups with a minimum of 35 people. Both packages include the Reindeer Experience tour where you can actually touch the animals and give them a "reindeer kiss," nose-to-muzzle affection, and the Buddy Ride Farm Tour that shows the Christmas tree farm, corn maze and other more traditional crops they harvest. Prices range from a standard lunch of $18 to $38 for a three-hour dinner theater murder mystery show.

Aside from the dining hall, the 80-acre ranch can accommodate groups of up to 500 people in the summer and fall. Corn stalks, a western playground and three barns occupy the ranch, but the reindeer still have their own area to frolic, gallop and play.

Daisy, a younger reindeer follows Mark Hardy around like a pet to its master, but he just laughs and calls her names. "She's the obnoxious little one," he said with a smile.

No matter if it's Rudolf or Daisy, these reindeer offer that little something extra to a fall outing or a winter getaway. Alaska is 3,960 miles away, but Hardy's Reindeer Ranch is a heck of a lot closer. Just 15 miles from CU, and less than two and a half hours from Chicago, Hardy's Reindeer Ranch is a delightful and doable day-trip.

But, do you really get to see Dasher, Dancer and Prancer? Of course not, they are tied up with Santa business this time of year. It's reindeer like Klondike, Flurry and Mistletoe that call Hardy's their home.