After more than a decade of visitors stopping in to see the animals, drive go-karts, slide down the waterslide and take in a few holes of miniature golf, Moondance Ranch and Adventure Park near Walker has closed its doors for the last time.
The Walker area's economy spurred owners Bill and Kathy Bieloh to shut down the ranch and park, which is located off State Highway 371 South, for good last Labor Day weekend.
"Walker's turning more into a second home market than it is a tourist market," said Bill Bieloh, noting the decline of the number of resorts in the area.
He said the ranch and park held a large auction in September, selling its horses, tack, wagons and farm equipment. And last month, Paul Bunyan Animal Land near Bemidji bought several other animals -- a deer herd, goats and birds.
The Bielohs hope to convert the property into an RV park.
ADVERTISEMENT
"The infrastructure's all there," said Bill Bieloh, noting that they are currently looking for investors or buyers.
Meanwhile, the Bielohs plan to bring new life to one building currently located on the property. They will move the building that housed the Grain Bin restaurant and the gift shop to the Moondance Jam Fairgrounds off State Highway 200 and rename it the Backstage Bar.
Next week, movers will transport the 190-foot building in two pieces to the fairgrounds. Once reassembled on the east side of the fairgrounds' backstage area, it will be decorated in a country and Northwoods theme to complement the new Moondance Jammin' Country Fest, an outdoor country music festival set to debut this summer. The Bielohs also hold Moondance Jam, an outdoor classic rock music festival, each summer at the fairgrounds.
With the rock-and-roll-themed MDJ Saloon & Grill already at the fairgrounds, the Backstage Bar will provide music fans another air-conditioned place to eat, drink, relax and enjoy themselves, Bill Bieloh said. And its close proximity to the backstage area will give patrons a glimpse of the musicians.
"They can see entertainers' buses come in and unload," Bill Bieloh said. "And we're going to encourage the entertainers to go in there and do meet-and-greets."
While the MDJ Saloon & Grill is a seasonal establishment, the Backstage Bar will be open year round. Like the MDJ Saloon & Grill, the Backstage Bar will be available to rent for events.
"Last year, Moondance hosted seven different weddings," Bill Bieloh noted.
The Bielohs opened Moondance Ranch in 1992 at the current Moondance Jam Fairgrounds.
ADVERTISEMENT
"It used to be called Deer Valley," Bill Bieloh said.
The Bielohs added horse riding to the ranch and started Moondance Jam the next year to help support that business.
In 1995, the Bielohs moved the ranch to its current site off State Highway 371 South and renamed it Moondance Ranch and Adventure Park. They added a waterslide, go-cart track and nine-hole miniature golf course.
The Bielohs have now changed their corporate name from Moondance Jam, which included the ranch and park, to Moondance Events and Adventures, which includes the MDJ Saloon & Grill, Backstage Bar, Moondance Guesthouse and softball fields.
