A hands-on experience

After hundreds of kids watched nine Bengal tigers at the Greeley Independence Stampede, they had an urge to pet something.

So their parents, knowing the tigers probably wouldn't work, sent them across the way to the Noah's Ark Petting Zoo.

"After the show, it's like whoosh -- everyone comes in," said Kelsey Lantz, daughter of petting zoo and pony ride owner Carolyn Lantz. For the past eight years, the Lantz' have brought a variety of animals from their 60-acre ranch in Elizabeth to the Stampede.

As vendors close to the zoo waited and waited for customers on a quiet (for them) Sunday afternoon, the place was packed with petters and goats hoping for a handout.

Many of the kids bought $1 cups of shaved carrots to feed the animals.

As kids shuffled through the petting zoo gate with parents in tow, a dozen goats eagerly awaited them. With outstretched hands, they made their rounds, giving each goat a carrot or two before moving on to the next animal.

Along with goats, ducks and llamas, kids also came face-to-face with several exotic animals.

With its stick-like legs splayed overhead, a red kangaroo peeked from a denim bag hanging from the side of its pen. A sulcata tortoise, Africa's largest mainland tortoise, rested in a corner munching on a head of lettuce.

"It's pretty awesome," said Joshua Pino, 11, of Greeley.

Sammi Novacek, 4, was drawn to the miniature horse and its nursing foal.

"I like the horses," said Novacek who quickly moved from the horse pen to see the gray pig lying on the ground. She stroked the pig's back and then coaxed her mom, Lisa Novacek, to go see the camel.

Next Sammi Novacek and her mom headed next door for a pony ride. Sammi Novacek was lifted onto her pony of choice, Cookie, and with a "giddy up" the ponies slowly took the kids round and round.