BROOKVILLE, Ind. – An Indiana farmer raises not just Christmas trees but reindeer to give his customers the ultimate holiday experience.

Kevin Priessman also takes his 17 reindeer outside the area even where the rich and famous gather to further spread a little Christmas cheer.

Priessman, wanting to gain a competitive edge over other Christmas tree growers, bought his first two reindeer from Alaska in 1997.

After his Christmas tree sales went up 400 percent from people flocking to see the reindeer, he purchased more of the animals, which are native to Scandinavia, Greenland and other areas near the Arctic.

He also grew his population from breeding the reindeer kept on his farm year round.

“A lot of people didn’t even know there was such a thing as a live reindeer,” he said.

Priessman said word of mouth about his reindeer later generated demand to rent the animals for use at Christmas parties and other holiday events. Customers who have brought his reindeer in to celebrate the season include the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals.

“You see a lot of the players, big macho guys on the sidelines during the games, then all of a sudden they come up to the reindeer and they’re like a little kid,” Priessman said.

His reindeer have also traveled to the Nashville, Tenn., home of country music star Keith Urban and movie actor wife, Nicole Kidman, during the season. Singer Mariah Carey once rented his reindeer to appear on the set of a movie she was filming in Cincinnati.

Since 1984, Priessman and his wife, Alice, have owned Whitetail Acres Nursery and Landscaping, Inc., which has about 200 acres in production at three separate locations outside Brookville in the southeast part of the state.

Christmas trees are grown on roughly 65 acres. The rest of the acreage is used for raising other varieties of trees for landscaping and nursery stock like shrubs and flowers.

Currently, the farm is gearing up for what promises to be another rush of customers eager to get up close and personal with the reindeer.

The 2nd annual Reindeer Encounter, from Nov. 13 until the end of February, will take place at the farm’s Garden Center, 8001 Old Blue Creek Road.

Anywhere from two to six reindeer and their handlers will be inside a pen for people to venture into for about 10 to 15 minutes during their stay.

“They can pet them. They can feed them. They can get whatever pictures they want taken with them. A lot of people use the pictures in their Christmas cards,” Priessman said.

There will also be a bonfire for people to sit around and hear stories about reindeer.

Games like tossing bean bags into the holes of snowmen and corn hole will be available to play before and after visiting with the animals.

There will be free hot chocolate, cider and popcorn along with a chance to make wreaths out of fresh trees cuttings. Pre-cut trees will also be available for purchase. 

The gift shop offering a variety of goods like Christmas ornaments and other holiday decorations will also be open. The cost of the event is $20 per person.

Reservations in designated time slots must be made online to limit crowd size as a precaution against COVID-19.

The Reindeer Encounter will be 4 p.m.-8 p.m. every Friday and Saturday and 1 p.m.-5 p.m. on Sundays.

Unlike typical livestock, Priessman said a little more attention is required to keep reindeer especially during the summer because of them being native to much colder climates.

He said industrial fans and natural shade are used to keep the animals cool especially on hot days.

Other than that, Priessman said his reindeer are fed twice a day and relax in their pasture during the eight months they’re not put to work. “They live a good life. They’re very happy.”