A fall festival can be a fun family outing on its own, but the weekend of October 24 and 25 at HorsePower for Kids comes with an added reason to go: the event helps support a nonprofit animal sanctuary that operates year-round.

HorsePower for Kids & Animal Sanctuary continues its Fall Festival Fundraiser on Saturday and Sunday, October 24 and 25, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 8005 Race Track Road in northwest Tampa.

Festival admission is listed at $15 per person, with babies 12 months and younger admitted free and parking listed at $1.

Admission includes pony rides for children within the posted weight limit, a petting zoo, train rides, a bounce house, playgrounds, farm animals, games and other family activities.

Food vendors and pumpkins are available for an additional charge.

The fundraiser matters because HorsePower for Kids is not simply an event venue.

The organization describes itself as a 501(c)(3) outdoor animal sanctuary and family farm near Oldsmar and Westchase, with public visits helping support the lifelong care of the animals that live there.

The farm’s regular attractions include an animal petting area, pony rides, playgrounds, a Western Town, swings, a tree house, corn pit, maze and other outdoor activities.

That makes the October festival a larger version of the experience families can find at the sanctuary during normal operating periods.

For children, the biggest draw may be getting close to the animals rather than simply watching them from a distance.

HorsePower for Kids emphasizes interaction and education, giving visitors a chance to learn about the animals while seeing the work involved in caring for them.

The October 24-25 weekend will also include BalloonTwisterAndMagic.com, with balloon twisting and magic adding another layer of entertainment for families.

That is especially useful for parents trying to keep younger children engaged between pony rides, train rides and time in the animal areas.

Families planning a visit should handle one important step before arriving.

HorsePower for Kids requires a completed release form for visitors.

The organization recommends completing the form before arrival and keeping the confirmation email or confirmation screen ready for check-in.

Current festival listings indicate that admission is paid on arrival rather than through advance ticket sales.

Outside food and drinks are not permitted, and outside pets are not allowed.

The event is designed to work as an easy half-day outing, but families who enjoy animals can easily spend several hours moving between the farm, rides and festival activities.

Because the event runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, visitors have some flexibility to work around naps, sports schedules or other weekend plans.

The October 24-25 weekend is also the next-to-last weekend of the fundraiser, with the final dates scheduled for October 31 and November 1.

That makes this weekend a good choice for families who want the fall-festival experience without waiting until Halloween weekend.

The practical takeaway is simple: the kids get an afternoon of farm fun, while the admission helps a local nonprofit continue caring for its animals.

Official information: HorsePower for Kids and the HorsePower for Kids events page.