Sabrina Johnson had circled Thursday as the day to take her daughter to Dell’Osso Family Farm in Lathrop along Interstate 5 near the San Joaquin River for their Holidays on the Farm outing.

“This is for Sandra’s birthday,” said the Mountain House mother, who was standing in the front of the line for the afternoon Snow Tubing session.

Sandra Madrigal turned 11 on Christmas Day. She looked forward to riding doubles down the man-made hill with her mother.

“This will be our first time (snow tubing),” said Johnson, who had as much anticipation as that of her daughter.

Diane Lazard, who is a manager at Dell’Osso Family Farm, has been in charge of the Snow Tubing thrill ride since its inception nearly a decade ago. She mentioned the various upgrades from over the years including the recent revamping of the lanes for doubles.

“We wanted to speed it up,” Lazard said.

At the end of the run are hay bales covered up in tarp. A few years ago, several Snow Tubing enthusiasts decided to make a contest out of who could be the first to sustain a ride all the way to the barriers.

From that, the “I Hit the Hay” buttons were born. The record for a single session is 18, which was established by a youngster about three years ago, according to Lazard.

Meanwhile, the line for Snow Tubing paled somewhat in comparison from that of the previous day.

Lazard noted that the maximum 275 turned up for each of the first four sessions. The fifth and last session at 7 p.m. had a respectful 150 during the always busy day after Christmas.

However, this day turned out to be sunny yet chilly with gusty winds warnings.

Jonallie and Gabriel Para stayed warm by wearing plenty of layers as they sat along the bleachers while waiting for their children ages 2, 12, and 13 prepare to take the ice.

“I’m sure they’ll warm up once they start skating,” Jonallie said.

Of the three, only 12-year-old Gabriel was familiar with ice skating having played hockey just a few years ago before finding basketball more to his liking.

With a week off from school and work, the Stockton family decided to brave the cold and windy conditions and enjoy Holidays on the Farm.

In between snow tubing and the ice rink is the modest yet free snow hill. 

While the sign says “no snow balls” those of all ages can’t resist in having a little fun.

Holidays on the Farm will continue its run through Saturday, Jan. 5. 

There is snow tubing, ice skating, zip lines, the Dell’Osso Express Train, rollercoaster, giant super slide, ball throw arena, pony rides, petting zoo, country store bakery that’s new this year featuring fresh apple spice and cherry doughnuts among other goodies, and fire pits for making s’mores. There are even free attractions such as pedal cars and the tire pyramid.

There is no general admission charge as tickets are sold for each attraction you want to access. The only online tickets are for the snow tubing given the demand as the 90-minute sessions can sell out fast. Parking is free. There is also a food court although guests are welcome to bring their own food.

Magical Lights on the Farm displays can be seen either via a train ride for $4 a person or an open air hay ride for $6 per person.

Guests in the rides are supplied blankets to help bundle against the cool weather. More than a few have been known to bring hot chocolate with them while on the rides.

The Lights on the Farm is in operation nightly from 5:30 to 9 p.m.  

Snow tubing is $21 per 90-minute session for all ages. Sessions start times are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Due to high demand buying tickets in advance online is highly recommended.

Given there is an escalator and sessions are capped you can easily get in 15 runs if not more. For available times and to buy tickets go to holidaysonthefarm.com/snow-tubing-2/

Ice skating starts at 10 a.m. daily.

Monday through Thursday ice skating is $12 for those 8 and older and $10 for those 7 and under. All rates include skates. Stroller skating is available during the first two hours of Monday through Thursday sessions for $10. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday rates are $14 for those 8 and under and $12 for those 7 and under. Those with their own skates can skate for $2 less than the posted prices.

There is no time limit bit once you leave the ice rink area you do not have return privileges.

Zip lines are available for $8 a ride of $12 for two rides for the same person.

Pony rides are $7, the petting zoo is $2 while $5 gets any age an unlimited use wrist band for the ball toss area, giant slide, and spinning pumpkins.

The Country Store Bakery is also open.

For more information, log on to www.holidaysonthefarm.com.