For generations of St. Louis families, a trip to Purina Farms has been a childhood rite of passage. It’s where kids have met farm animals for the first time, watched dogs leap through the air, and discovered just how exciting an afternoon spent around animals can be.
Then, years later, many of those kids come back with children of their own.
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In 2026, the beloved Gray Summit destination celebrates a remarkable milestone: 100 years of bringing people and animals together.
“We regularly hear from parents who fondly remember visiting Purina Farms as kids and are excited to share that experience with their own families,” says Bailie Kleekamp, marketing coordinator at Purina Farms. “That multigenerational connection is central to who we are.”
Purina Farms began in 1926 as a working farm focused on agricultural research and education. Over the century that followed, it evolved into one of the region’s most familiar family attractions.
The experiences have changed along the way, but Kleekamp says the relationship between people and animals has remained at the center of the farm.
“Purina Farms has evolved alongside changing needs and interests, but the core idea, bringing people and pets together, has remained constant,” she says. “Being part of family traditions across generations is something we value deeply and see as a reflection of the trust the community has placed in Purina Farms for decades.”
That enduring appeal may feel particularly relevant for today’s families. With screens competing for kids’ attention almost everywhere they go, an afternoon spent watching, touching, and learning about animals offers something decidedly hands-on.
“The simplicity and authenticity of being present with pets and the natural world creates emotional connection that feels real and grounding,” Kleekamp says. “It engages our senses and encourages curiosity and discovery, which are powerful memory-makers for both children and adults.”
Celebrating 100 years a little differently
The centennial year doesn’t look quite like Purina Farms might have originally imagined.
The Visitor Center remains temporarily closed because of damage sustained during the March 2025 tornadoes. But that doesn’t mean families have to wait to get a taste of the Purina Farms experience.
In Gray Summit, families can bring their dogs to explore the farm’s expanding nature trail or reserve one of the limited spaces inside the Pups Play Yard, where dogs can run, play, and try light agility equipment.
The Purina Event Center also remains open and hosts hundreds of dog and cat shows and performance trials throughout the year. Most are free and open to the public, giving animal-loving kids a chance to see everything from show dogs to canine athletes in action.
One of Purina Farms’ most recognizable family experiences has also temporarily found a new home in the heart of St. Louis. Through September, the Purina Incredible Dog Team is performing daily shows at St. Louis Union Station, bringing the action closer to families who may not make the drive to Gray Summit.
The shows feature canine sports including agility, flying disc, and tricks, with a familiar message behind all the high-flying action: celebrating what dogs can do and the relationships they share with people.
For families accustomed to seeing the performances at Purina Farms, the Union Station shows offer a way to continue the tradition while the Visitor Center is closed. For others, they may be an introduction to a St. Louis institution that’s been entertaining and educating local families for a century.
A century of family memories
Purina Farms will also mark the milestone August 22 with the Bark Tie Gala, an evening benefiting the Coalition for Pet Progress. The event will feature adoptable animals, wine tastings, live entertainment, and auctions supporting animal welfare efforts.
But perhaps the most fitting way to mark 100 years of Purina Farms isn’t with one anniversary celebration, Kleekamp adds: It’s seeing another generation of St. Louis kids discover the same fascination with animals that brought their parents—and, in some cases, their grandparents—to Gray Summit years ago.
“With every visit to Purina Farms, we hope families immediately feel a sense of warmth, familiarity, and excitement,” Kleekamp says. “Ultimately, our goal is for guests and their pets to feel welcomed and reminded of the simple joy that comes from spending meaningful time together.”
