HUGO, Okla. (KTEN) —The Endangered Ark Foundation in Hugo, Oklahoma, is hosting its annual pumpkin festival through October 29.

Families attending the event can participate in ax-throwing, pumpkin slingshots, bounce houses, and the fan favorite: A hayride through the elephant reserve.

"All kids can come out here and have the best time of their lives" said junior elephant ambassador Ri'Khel Jones. "I think they finally get to see something that they didn't even know existed, and that they didn't even know they could come that close with them."

The foundation's goal is to educate the public about the importance of protecting these endangered animals, and provide a safe place for them to spend the rest of their lives.

Snow resident Jacob Lewis comes to the event regularly.

"All the proceeds go to supporting the elephants and they're retired elephants from circus life," he said.  "It's an amazing project that they have here at the Endangered Ark Foundation."

The nonprofit EAF is home to 16 Asian elephants. Board member Kristin Parra's grandparents founded the sanctuary in 1993.

"My grandparents always loved elephants, and they knew they were going to need a place for their elephants to retire to," Parra said. "So they built this and then actually when they passed away their estate was left to the elephants."

The ranch is the second largest home in America to these endangered animals. The festival is open Thursdays through Sundays in the month of October.