Experience a Nostalgic Christmas at Cardinal Creek Farm

Some say Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. It certainly feels like the busiest. But in Leon, just east of Wichita, there’s a place where families can slow down and enjoy a magical and memorable Christmas experience together — Cardinal Creek Farm.

As a child, Zac Yarnall and his sisters toured Christmas tree farms around the state. Since then, it has been a dream of his to create his own magical winter wonderland for Kansas families. In 2012, he and his family did just that by bringing Cardinal Creek Farm to life.

This family friendly Christmas tree farm is the perfect place to visit for an old fashioned and whimsical Christmas experience. In addition to picking out a Christmas tree, visitors can enjoy hayrack rides, ice skating and Santa’s workshop. Yes, Santa has set up a special workshop where his elves will make custom toys for kids. With the purchase of a ticket, kids choose the toy they want, then pick their favorite piece of wood and place it on a conveyor belt. The wood goes directly into Santa’s workshop where the elves work their magic, and children can listen in as the elves transform the wood into their very own toy.

The farm also features a market filled with goodies like ornaments, wreaths, jams and cheeses. Some goods are made at Cardinal Creek Farm, and others come from surrounding communities.

“We try to bring in as many local items into our shop as possible,'' Zac said.

Surprisingly, not all the Christmas trees are local — yet. One of the most difficult aspects of the business is the time and patience it takes to grow a sellable tree. The trees at Cardinal Creek are still young and growing, so Zac brings in more trees from a farm in Michigan to give families a better selection. Weather is also a huge obstacle to overcome, especially in Kansas, and not only for growing trees.

“Sometimes when there are really nice days in December, we don’t have a whole lot of traffic on the farm, as we would if there was snow. I think that’s because it feels more like Christmas when there’s snow,” Zac said.

Although there are challenges of running a business during Christmastime, there are rewarding aspects, too. Zac said he loves hearing families laugh on the ice-skating rink or seeing parents’ faces light up because of their children’s excitement at Santa’s workshop.

The experience at Cardinal Creek Farm is more than just coming to pick out a Christmas tree. It’s a place for families to have a truly enjoyable holiday experience.

“I think what sets us apart the most is our dedication to making sure our customers have an amazing time at the farm,” said his sister Alisha McClure. “Our family went hunting for a perfect Christmas tree every year, so we know just how important holiday family memories are and want nothing more than to see families enjoying each other as they celebrate this wonderful holiday. As a result, we all bring a level of passion and dedication to work every day that is generally not found elsewhere.”

Cardinal Creek Farm opens its doors for the holidays the day after Thanksgiving. Throughout the Christmas season, hours run from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday through Sunday. Children can also visit Santa Claus on Saturdays between 2 and 4 p.m. Entry into the farm is free and guests can enjoy complimentary hot cocoa or cider. There is also a concession with food available for purchase.