A 1001 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

SHOULD WE COOK-OUT?   A simple party is a stress-free party. One couple recently served pre-heated corn dogs.  Another family served 6-foot subs cut into small sections.  When the nice folks who own Cappetto's restaurant had their wing-ding at Poki Roni Ranch, they brought 75 sack lunches with an Italian sandwich, fruit and a treat (it was a hit).  Prepared trays of food can be easily served from the cantina tables in the COVERED pavilion.  There is nothing wrong with snacks, birthday cake and soda pop! 
If you have booked the 75 person Buckaroo package, 2 bags of ice for our Mexican drink coolers works fine, and one bag of Charcoal for the grill is usually sufficient.  Ice cream is NOT a good idea, since there is no place to keep it frozen.  If you want to empty an ice chest at the end of the party, the irrigation ditch which runs along the west side of the park is an ideal place.


WHAT IS THE LATEST A PARTY CAN GO?
Until 2 AM.  However, if your party starts after dark, we may not be able to provide all the activities such as a hayride and pony rides, since the tractor does not have headlights and the horses sometimes behave badly in the dark.  Remember: We cater to children at The Poki Roni Ranch and a little daylight makes for a wholesome, fun time.  (kids should be home and in bed by 10PM)

DO THE RESTROOMS HAVE SOAP?
YES!  Liquid hand soap, paper towels and plenty of bathroom tissue will be provided inside our WHEELCHAIR ACCESSABLE restrooms. Our restrooms are housed inside a restored, red 1941 caboose and are decorated in a western theme.  At any point during your party, if you think the restrooms need attention, just let the party staff know, and we will immediately take care of it.  We think we have the most UNUSUAL restrooms in the state of Texas, and we try to keep them nice and clean.

DO WE HAVE TO WATCH OUR GUESTS?

Poki Roni Ranch is a working horse farm, with over 20horses on 14 acres.  You and your guests are welcome to leave the party area and visit the animals, with these reminders:
Children must be with an adult when in the stable area.
Don't feed the horses (except with apples from the bobbing-for -apples)
Don't climb on the haystack (unstable bales might fall)
Use common sense around any animal

WHAT IF MORE  GUESTS SHOW UP THAN I PAID FOR?
You might be amazed at how many people show up for your party.  If you THINK MAYBE you will go over the limit in your party package you should come prepared with CASH to pay for the next larger package.  NO CHECKS ON PARTY DAY! 
Here is the difference: Buckaroo Package to Wrangler package(up to 150 people) add $500.00.  Wrangler Package to the Cowboy package (up to 300 people) add $1900.00 Cowboy Package to the Rodeo package (up to 500 people) add $2950.00.  When your party package is exceeded, we allow approximately 30 minutes for you to make your CASH payment to the next higher package.

WHO IS COUNTED AS A GUEST?
Everyone!  Hired hands, cooks, jugglers, disco guys, distant cousins you didn't even know existed---All humans count toward your party person number.  Dogs are free!

WHEN CAN WE SET UP?
The park and pavilion acre usually opened 1 hour prior to the start of your event (consult your contract for time)  Set-up is no more than 6 people.  Disco guys, caterers, magicians, aunts and uncles are included in those 6 people.. In the small town where we are from, more than 6 people constitutes a party, and your party time will start from then.

CAN WE DECORATE?
We have enough decorations in the pavilion to choke a goat.  The tables have table cloths with a ranch logo and plastic covers.  Each table will have a western centerpiece and the pavilion is fully lighted with colored lights, pinatas and neon signs.  Remember, whatever you put up must come down at the end of your event.

WHAT CONSTITUES MINOR CLEAN-UP?
There are 15 large trash barrels located around the park area.  Each barrel will have a fresh liner.  As long as the bulk of your trash goes into the barrels, we'll all be as happy as clams.  Generally, 30 minutes from the time your event ends is sufficient to make sure your trash is picked up, that tables and benches are returned to their original spot, and that everything pretty much looks the way you found it.

CAN WE DRIVE UP TO THE PAVILION TO UN-LOAD?
Our philosophy is: "Kids and cars don't mix", so the answer is an enthusiastic "NO"!  We provide a roomy pull-wagon which holds 600 lbs.  Normally 3 or 4 trips from the parking lot over to the pavilion is all it takes to un-load for even the largest parties. No catering trucks, no disco vans, NADA (it also hurts the grass)

ARE WE ALLOWED TO BRING ALCOHOL?
Even though we DO allow alcohol to be served, we have found that our best parties were booze-free.  When alcohol is served, many times adults end-up standing around haold a BUD-LIGHT.  When alcohol isn't served, we have a much better chance of rounding everyone up to take part in the farm games and go on the hayride.  Poki Roni Ranch is:  family-oriented, wholesome, kid-friendly party packages.  When we see bottles of liquor, stacks of cases of beer, and kegs being set up, we anticipate the worst and act accordingly.... putting the police dispatch# on speed dial!  Why not try a booze free event!

CAN WE BRING A DISCO?
Unless you just won the lottery, save your money.  Disco's ruin the wonderful farm atmosphere.. Usuall the folks inside the pavilion can't hear themselves think, much less enjoy the sound of peacocks cooing and roosters crowing.  It is hard for us to announce the farm games over the soothing sounds of the Black Eyed Peas.  A small CD player, radio, or strereo is an excellent way to play your favorite children's songs or rock and roll or Tejano (YES!)  There are 6 electric outlets in the pavilion to plug in appliances.

CAN WE BRING CLOWNS, MARIACHIS, OR MAGICIANS?
Again, save your money!  These guys interfere with our scheduled farm events.  Between farms games, pony rides, hayride,  volleyball, tire swings, pinata, and playground there is going to be something for every child to do.  This actually happened:  A couple booked a three hour buckaroo package and brought a disco, 2 clowns, a face painter, a magician, 2 groups of mariachis, a caterer and his staff and a fully stocked bar w/ bartender---talk about problems!! Let us help you make your party as simple as possible, so you will enjoy the experience as well as your guests!

JUMPING BALLOON
Jumping balloons are not included. You are welcome to rent one and set it up in the party park area