Sonny Acres Farm

What Sonny Acres Farm does

Sonny Acres Farm is a privately held, family-owned seasonal entertainment venue located on a 22-acre property at 29W310 North Avenue in West Chicago, Illinois. Established in 1883 by German immigrants Ferdinand and Anna Nagel under the name Oakwood Farm, the property has operated continuously for more than 125 years and was acquired in 2021 by the Joyaux and Fontana families, who continue the family-operated tradition under the leadership of CEO David Calzaretta. The farm serves families with children, school groups, corporate clients, and celebration hosts across the Chicagoland suburbs (including Addison, Aurora, Bartlett, Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Downers Grove, Glen Ellyn, Naperville, and Wheaton).

The venue operates as a multi-attraction destination across four seasonal product pillars: amusement rides (Wacky Worm Roller Coaster, Tilt-A-Whirl, Giant Swing, train, jumping pillow, etc.), farm experiences (Self-Feed Zoo, Kiddie Korral playground, pumpkin patch, hayrides), ticketed events (Fall Festival with Haunted Barn and Haunted Hayride, Big & Bright Trail of Lights, Christmas Market, Photos with Santa, Pro Rodeo, concerts, car show, Corn & Craft Beer Fest), and event hosting (birthday parties, corporate events, weddings). Food service is operated on-site through "Our Kitchen," and retail includes a farm store with produce, Christmas trees, wreaths, and decorations. Pricing is uniformly low-ticket and pay-as-you-go: unlimited-ride wristbands range from $10 to $25, birthday packages from $24.99 to $34.99 per child, corporate event pricing is custom-quoted, and special events such as the ChiTown Exotic Car Show are $5 per person at the gate. Distribution is entirely direct-to-consumer at the physical farm location, with tickets for Christmas events and Santa photos sold via the Tixr third-party platform.

The business model is asset-heavy and geographically fixed: revenue is generated by per-visit admissions, per-attraction fees, event packages, on-site food, and seasonal retail, with corporate and wedding bookings providing higher-ticket counter-seasonal demand. Headcount is small (11–50 employees), augmented by a large seasonal part-time workforce covering ride operations, ticket booths, attractions, food service, and event roles. Marketing is conducted through the company website, Facebook, Instagram, email newsletter, and SEO targeting individual suburban communities. A new indoor venue called The Barn on North is scheduled to open on the property in January 2027 to host weddings, milestone birthdays, corporate gatherings, and special celebrations, materially extending the operating season. No venture capital, institutional investors, or public-market involvement is indicated.

Name

Sonny Acres Farm

Legal name

Sonny Acres Farm

Website

https://sonnyacres.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1883

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sonny Acres Farm is a family-owned 22-acre seasonal entertainment venue in West Chicago, IL serving Chicagoland families, schools, corporate groups, and celebration hosts with amusement rides, a petting zoo, fall and Christmas festivals, food service, and event hosting.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Seasonal Farm Entertainment and Event Venue

NAICS

Other Animal Production (1129)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Agricultural Production-Crops (100)

akta.pro primary industry

Farm Stays & Agritourism Lodges (THAMADAH)

Keywords

• Seasonal farm entertainment
• Amusement rides and attractions
• Fall festival and pumpkin patch
• Farm event venue hosting
• Petting zoo and farm animals

Headquarters

HQ city

West Chicago, IL

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Admission and Wristband Sales: Visitors purchase admission and unlimited ride wristbands ($10-$25) for access to amusements, attractions, and rides.
2. Birthday Party Packages: All-inclusive birthday party packages for families, including wristbands, food, venue rental, and activities.
3. Corporate Event Hosting: Venue rental and event services for corporate picnics, team building, weddings, and private events on the 22-acre farm property.
4. Food Service (Our Kitchen): On-site outdoor grill serving hamburgers, hot dogs, brats, grilled cheese, pizza, and kids' meals to visitors.
5. Seasonal Festivals and Events: Ticketed events including Fall Festival, Christmas Trail of Lights, Photos with Santa, and haunted attractions.
6. Farm Store and Retail: Farm store selling produce, Christmas trees, wreaths, decorations, and animal feed.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Sonny Acres Farm is a 22-acre family-owned seasonal farm entertainment destination in West Chicago, IL that sells admission wristbands, ride tickets, and seasonal festival experiences to visiting families. The farm also hosts private events including weddings, birthday parties, and corporate gatherings, and operates an on-site outdoor grill serving food to visitors. Its core is a physical, place-based recreational experience combining amusement rides, farm animals, seasonal festivals (Fall Festival, Christmas Trail of Lights), and event-hosting services.

Product overview

Sonny Acres Farm is a 22-acre family-owned and operated seasonal entertainment destination in West Chicago, IL, spanning over 125 years of operation. The farm operates as a multi-attraction venue offering a portfolio of distinct products organized into several categories: seasonal festivals (Fall Festival with Pumpkin Patch, Haunted House, and Haunted Hayride; Christmas Events featuring the Big & Bright Trail of Lights, Photos with Santa, Christmas Market, and Christmas Trees & Wreaths), amusement park attractions (Amusement Rides, Kiddie Korral playground, Giant Jumping Pillow, Self-Feed Zoo), event hosting services (Weddings, Birthday Parties, Corporate Events), and food service (Our Kitchen outdoor grill). The farm also offers group programs including Summer Fun Days and School Fun Days, plus special events like Car Shows, Pro Rodeo, and Concerts. Wristband Deals provide value pricing for unlimited rides. Currently owned by the Joyaux and Fontana families who acquired it from the Nagel family lineage.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Barn on North: A stunning, spacious indoor venue opening January 2027 at Sonny Acres Farm, designed to host weddings, celebrations, corporate events, and special occasions.

Products and services

• Amusement Rides Family-friendly amusement park attractions including Wacky Worm Roller Coaster, Tilt-A-Whirl, Giant Swing, Bee Ride, Sheep Ride, Apple Worm Ride, Frog Hopper, Giant Fun Slide, and Sonny Express Train Ride, available weather permitting for visiting families.
• Kiddie Korral Magic playground for young children featuring Giant Spider Web rope climbing, three bounce houses, playground equipment, swing set, and picnic area in a safe fenced-in area.
• Self-Feed Zoo Interactive petting zoo where visitors can feed farm animals including llamas, goats, and a friendly hog. Feed cups available for $2.
• Giant Jumping Pillow Oversized inflatable jumping surface where children can bounce and play, available as part of wristband deals and ticket packages.
• Fall Festival Annual autumn celebration featuring hayrides, pumpkin patch, haunted attractions, and seasonal treats like taffy apples and apple cider donuts, typically running from mid-September through October.
• Haunted Barn Spooky haunted barn attraction during Fall Festival offering scares and entertainment for visitors.
• Haunted Hayride Thrilling hayride experience through haunted areas of the farm during the fall season.
• Pumpkin Patch Seasonal pumpkin picking attraction during Fall Festival season featuring a wide selection of pumpkins for visitors.
• Summer Fun Days School group field trip packages during summer months (June-August) for preschool through 6th grade, including amusements, Kiddie Korral, train rides, animal feed, and optional meal packages, available Tuesday-Friday with minimum 10 children.
• School Fun Days Fall field trip program for schools, including activities, rides, and educational farm experiences for school groups.
• Wristband Deals Unlimited ride wristbands offering value pricing: $10 wristband (Tuesday-Sunday) includes Jumping Pillow and Kiddie Korral; $20 wristband (Friday-Sunday) includes all amusements; $25 wristband (Friday-Sunday) includes all amusements, Jumping Pillow, Kiddie Korral, and Sonny Express Train.
• Weddings Outdoor countryside wedding venue with scenic property, tree-lined reception areas, and reflection pond, accommodating various wedding styles from rustic to elegant, with a new indoor venue (The Barn on North) opening January 2027.
• Birthday Parties Birthday party packages for children and adults. Package #1 ($34.99/child) includes 3-hour Party Barn rental, unlimited wristbands, animal feed, and kids meal for 10-60 kids on Friday-Sunday. Package #2 ($24.99/child) includes wristbands for Wednesday-Thursday.
• Corporate Events Corporate event venue hosting company picnics, team building, employee appreciation, fundraisers, and receptions on the 22-acre property with outdoor venue, tree-lined areas, reflection pond, self-feeding zoo, and amusement park.
• Our Kitchen On-site outdoor grill serving hot dogs, hamburgers, brats, grilled cheese, pizza, and other menu items, with family recipe beef, fresh bread, clean outdoor dining, and kids meal options.
• Big & Bright Trail of Lights Annual Christmas light show festival featuring millions of twinkling lights, larger-than-life holiday displays, lights synchronized to holiday music, s'mores kits, outdoor bar, and photo opportunities including the Christmas Story House with Leg Lamp replica.
• Christmas Trees & Wreaths Fresh-cut Christmas trees including Fraser Fir, Balsam Fir, Douglas Fir, White Pine, Scotch Pine, Black Hills Spruce, and Blue Spruce, along with handmade wreaths, garland, decorative greens, tree stands, poinsettias, and holiday decorations.
• Photos with Santa Meet and greet Santa experience with professional photos available for purchase, running from mid-November through late December with appointments required.
• Christmas Market Holiday market featuring local crafters and makers offering holiday home decor, winter apparel, soaps, perfumes, jewelry, stocking stuffers, spices, and seasonal treats, with free admission.
• ChiTown Exotic Car Show Annual car show event featuring exotic and luxury vehicles with $5 admission per person, children 12 and under free, including amusements, self-feed zoo, food vendors, and family activities.
• Pro Rodeo Professional rodeo events hosted at the farm with various sponsors including Fortis Paving, Wilson Nurseries, Midland Paper, and COTE Consulting Services.
• Concerts Live music concerts hosted at the farm, including country music events featuring artists like Justin Moore and Larry Fleet.
• Corn & Craft Beer Fest Seasonal food and beverage festival featuring corn and craft beer, combining farm experience with local culinary offerings.
• Wholesale Wholesale produce and farm products available for bulk purchase.

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• ChiTown Exotic Car GroupminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 July 2026Co-hosting exotic car show event at Sonny Acres Farm on July 26, 2026
• Fortis PavingminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 20262026 Rodeo Sponsor for Fortis Pro Rodeo event at Sonny Acres Farm
• Wilson NurseriesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 20262026 Rodeo Sponsor for Pro Rodeo event at Sonny Acres Farm
• The Barn on NorthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026New indoor venue opening January 2027 as part of Sonny Acres Farm property; provides additional event hosting space for weddings, celebrations, and corporate events
• Midland PaperminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 20262026 Rodeo Sponsor for Pro Rodeo event at Sonny Acres Farm
• COTE Consulting ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 20262026 Rodeo Sponsor for Pro Rodeo event at Sonny Acres Farm

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Stade's Farm & Market: A family farm in Monee, IL (south suburbs of Chicago) with a fall festival, pumpkin patch, corn maze, farm animals, and on-site farm market — comparable in seasonal event programming, farm store, and family farm experience.
• Kregel's Pumpkin Farm: A fall pumpkin patch and family farm in Wisconsin with hayrides, corn maze, and farm animals — overlapping pumpkin patch, family entertainment, and field trip programming, serving a regional Midwest market.
• Siegel's Cottonwood Farm: A family-owned farm in Lockport, IL (southwest suburbs of Chicago) operating a pumpkin patch, fall festival with rides and attractions, corn maze, and seasonal farm events — closely comparable seasonal agritourism model, geography, and customer base to Sonny Acres.
• Didier Pumpkin Farm: A Lincolnshire, IL family-operated pumpkin patch and fall festival with hayrides, animal barn, and school field trip programs — overlapping in pumpkin patch, school field trips, and family agritourism offerings.
• Apple Holler: A family farm destination in Sturtevant, WI featuring pick-your-own apples, fall festival, farm animals, restaurant, and event hosting — closely comparable in family agritourism, seasonal festivals, and event venue business model, though serving a different geographic market.
• Country Corners Farm: A small family farm offering a pumpkin patch, corn maze, and fall activities in the greater Chicago area — overlapping seasonal agritourism, family entertainment focus, and small-operator profile comparable to Sonny Acres.
• Royal Oak Farm Orchard: A Harvard, IL family orchard and agritourism destination featuring apple picking, fall festival, farm market, and seasonal events — directly comparable in family-focused orchard/farm entertainment, fall programming, and farm store retail.
• Heap's Giant Pumpkin Farm: A fall festival and pumpkin farm in Minooka, IL (southwest Chicagoland) with rides, attractions, and farm animals — directly comparable agritourism product mix in the same broader Chicago metropolitan market.
• Bengtson's Pumpkin Farm: A Homer Glen, IL family farm offering a fall festival with rides, haunted attractions, pumpkin patch, pig races, and amusement attractions — directly overlapping with Sonny Acres' fall entertainment, ride, and seasonal festival mix in the Chicagoland market.

Regional players

• Odyssey Fun World: A family entertainment center in Naperville, IL (Chicagoland) offering amusement rides, attractions, and event packages — overlapping with Sonny Acres' family amusement and event hosting, but as an indoor/arcade-centric venue rather than seasonal farm-based.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/sonnyacres
• Instagraminstagram.com/sonnyacresfarm/?hl=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sonny-acres-farm

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sonny Acres Farm