| Our History |
| Contact Christine Coler 330-337-3219 |
| CELL 330-506-6599 |
| The Barn Yard Petting Zoo and Pony Rides |
| The Barn Yard Petting Zoo and Pony Rides |
| Petting Zoo History The Barn Yard Petting Zoo was founded by Doreen Leach over 20 years ago. At that time, Doreen was raising goats, and along with her youngest daughter was showing them at the Canfield Fair. She was asked if she could bring some of her goats to a festival in downtown Youngstown. The Amazing reaction that she got from the children and the parents motivated her to do more festivals and include more small farm animals. Her traveling "petting zoo" grew into a full-time summer job. Doreen passed away in 2003, but her vision to pass joy onto others lives on through her daughters, Chris, Cathy and Carrie, and their families through The Barn Yard Petting Zoo. |
| Pony Ride History Doreen started showing ponies at the Canfield Fair at a young age. Her father, James Best Sr., not only showed ponies at the Fair, but he also set up a pony ride ring there. The pony rides are still going strong more than 50 years later. All 6 of Best's children started working the pony rides at a young age. When they got married and had kids of their own, the grandchildren helped out. When those grandchildren got married and had kids of their own, the great-grandchildren helped out. Because it was a natural addition, Doreen along with her husband George, added pony rides to their list of services. Now George, along with Doreen's eldest daughter Christine, have not only continued to offer those services, but also run the pony rides at the Canfield Fair. |
| Other family members have also pass their love for animals to others. James Best Jr and family along with the help of their beautiful Halflinger ponies, offers carriage rides for special occasions. (Check out their web site, click here) Tom Best Sr and family along with the help of their powerful Draft Horses, offerers wagon rides through the orchard at Whitehouse Fruit Farms every fall. Dave Best along with his wife Sandy supply the beautiful embroidery on the shirts, hats, jackets, and even baby bibs from their shop in New Springfield, Ohio. Best Sports and Stitches bestsports@zoominternet.net All signs are provided by another Uncle, George Johnson of Florida www.gejohnsonauctioneers.com |
