Animals In The Living Nativity

How could Joseph and Mary journey to Bethlehem without Sarah, the Donkey?  How could there be a stable without sheep?  How could the Wise Men travel without camels? 

To complete the RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR’S Living Nativity, two camels, one
donkey and several sheep take the stage.  These animals come from Hedrick Exotic Animal Farm in central Kansas.  Hedrick’s has been providing animals for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular since 1994.  

A lifelong rancher, Joe Hedrick had the opportunity to work with exotic animals in rodeo specialty acts.  Joe and Sondra Hedrick had a love of these exotic animals and began breeding them on their farm in Nickerson, Kansas as a hobby.  As their hobby grew, the Hedrick Exotic Animal Farm was born. 

“More than 800 animals from giraffes to chickens call it home,” says Sondra Hedrick,
“including some 300 goats, 30 camels and 20 zebras.”

Ostriches, Doves, Kangaroos, Pygmy Goats, Llamas, Cavies, Zebus, Reindeer, Oryx, Yaks, Nilgai, Muntjacs, Spurred Tortoises, Hedgehogs, Highlanders, Elands, Emus, Alpacas, Bison, Bongos, Jacob 4 Horns and Miniature Donkeys are some of the exotic animals that joined the Hedrick animal family.  There are even a few domestic animals like cattle and ponies. 

In 1992, the farm opened to the public offering pig, ostrich, goat and camel races, as well as hayrides.  As popularity grew, Hedrick’s Promotions Inc. was formed to give people more opportunity to interact with these amazing animals, as well as provide animals for exhibits at state fairs, petting zoos, and educational opportunities at schools, birthday parties, corporate retreats, and campouts.   People who visit have the chance to touch and feed animals that they have never heard of before. 

Two years later, Hedrick Exotic Animal Farm began providing animals not only for the RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR, but for Christmas and Easter shows at churches throughout the country. With over 40 years of experience in show business, the animals are trained for indoor and outdoor stage work and tour “coast to coast and border to border.”

Licensed by the U.S.D.A, Hedrick Exotic Animal Farm is overseen by a full-time trained staff with 24-hour veterinary service, who provide the best of care whether the animals are on the farm or on tour.  Every single animal is provided with a proper living quarters, excellent nutrition and human companionship.

The farm is always looking for people who love animals as much as Joe and Sondra Hedrick, hiring a few seasonal and full-time year round employees to travel with the animals throughout the United States.

For more information on Hedrick Exotic Animal Farm go to: www.hedricks.com