Tourism Windsor Essex Presents Open Farms on Saturday September 12th

Explore the Farms, Flavours and People Behind Windsor Essex’s Local Food Scene

 Windsor, ON – Get ready to go behind the farm gate and experience where local begins. On Saturday, September 12th, Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island, in partnership with the Essex County Federation of Agriculture, presents Open Farms, proudly supported by Libro Credit Union.

Open Farms invites residents and visitors to hit the road for a free, self-guided day of discovery featuring 15 participating locations across Windsor, Essex County and Pelee Island. From orchards and farms to markets, wineries, cideries and breweries, guests can meet local growers and producers, learn more about what they create and experience the people and places behind Windsor Essex’s farm-fresh flavours.

“Open Farms gives people the opportunity to experience agriculture in a way that is personal, interactive and uniquely Windsor Essex,” said Gordon Orr, CEO of Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island and CEO of Invest WindsorEssex. “When you meet the people growing our food, producing local products and building experiences around agriculture, you gain a greater appreciation for just how important this sector is to our region. It’s also a great reason to get out, explore our communities and support the local businesses that help make Windsor Essex such a distinctive destination.”

Visitors can register for a free Open Farms digital pass at weheartlocal.ca/openfarms, which will act as their guide to participating locations and the special experiences available throughout the day.

Each stop will offer its own opportunity to taste, sip, learn, explore and connect, with experiences and operating hours varying by location.

2026 Open Farms participating locations:

• Carolinia Cider Co. (Essex)
• Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens (Kingsville)
• Coopers Hawk Vineyards (Essex)
• Denver’s Homestead (Lakeshore)
• Downtown Windsor Farmers Market (Windsor)
• Eh Oh Farm (Kingsville)
• GL Heritage Brewing Company (Amherstburg)
• Green Heart Farms (Kingsville)
• Hawksview Honey (Essex)
• Raymont’s Berries (Kingsville)
• Sauve’s Country Market (Kingsville)
• Stonehill Estates Farm Shop (Pelee Island)
• The Fruit Wagon (Essex)
• The Little Cider Company (Essex)
• Vivace Estate Winery (Amherstburg)
• Wagner Orchards & Estate Winery (Lakeshore)

Experiences are free with a registered pass, making Open Farms an easy way for families, couples and curious food lovers to build their own itinerary and discover more of the region throughout the day.

A complete list of experiences, participating locations, hours and registration details can be found at weheartlocal.ca/openfarms.

Explore Local All Year Long

Open Farms is part of W.E. Heart Local, Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island’s ongoing initiative connecting residents and visitors with the farmers, growers, producers, markets and farm-to-table experiences found throughout Windsor Essex.

Visitors are also encouraged to register for the free W.E. Heart Local Digital Pass at weheartlocal.ca and continue exploring local throughout the season. The pass connects users with participating locations across the region while offering access to rewards, special offers, monthly prizes, recipes, insider information and more.

“Whether picking up something fresh from the farm, discovering a new local producer or simply taking a drive through the countryside, Open Farms is an invitation to meet local, taste local and experience local in Windsor Essex” added Gordon Orr.