Tourism Windsor Essex Hosts Open Farms Day to Celebrate Ontario Food Week
Tourism Windsor Essex Celebrates Ontario Food Week with Real Farms, Real Food and Real People During Open Farms Day
Windsor, ON – Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island in partnership with the Essex County Federation of Agriculture presents Open Farms Day on Saturday June 10th, a day of family fun on the farm, and part of the Ontario Food Week events that celebrate farm fresh tastes available in the region and across the province. Open Farms is also an event to celebrate local farms, residents, food producers and more by giving locals the opportunity to explore on-the-farm experiences and learn more about the food culture and processes in the region.
“Tourism Windsor Essex is pleased to bring back Open Farms Day, a one-of-a-kind event allowing residents and visitors to learn the importance of supporting local, and what it takes to bring your favourite fruits and vegetables and more from farm to fork” said Gordon Orr, CEO of Tourism Windsor Essex. “Open farms is a fun way for the entire family to take a self guided experience across our region and appreciate what farm life is really like, and leaving behind an economic footprint while doing so.”
Visitors can go to weheartlocal.ca/openfarms and register for their free digital pass that will guide them to the 8 on-the-farm experiences at different W.E. Heart Local program participants this Saturday. The passport will act as a guidance tool between the farms, and also the chance to win! If you check-in at least 3 of the experiences you have a chance to win a $250 W.E. Heart Local prize package. All experiences will be free with a registered pass, and give a glimpse into farm life and processes. It is the opportunity to taste, sip and learn through thoughtfully curated experiences, including:
- Amherstburg Farmers Market
10am to 1pm Butterfly Ecosystems – Native plant species you can use to build a sustainable Monarch Habitat.
- Big Oak Farms
12pm & 2pm: Farm Tours | 11pm to 3pm: Farm animal meet and greet with photo ops. BBQ Angus burgers available for purchase.
- Dockside Fisheries
1pm to 3pm: Oyster shucking classes.
- Maidstone Tree Farm & Garden Centre
10am: The Hole Story: Tree Planting & Planting Care Demonstration | 11am: The Power of Pruning: how to keep your trees healthy and attractive. | 10am to 2pm: FREE Face Painting for kids 12 and under
- Oxley Estate Winery
3pm: Vineyard Tour | 12pm to 3pm: Taste wines, dotty (non-alcoholic beverage), paired with delicious popcorn! Children may enter a colouring contest for a chance to win a prize.
- Raymont’s Berries
1pm & 3pm: Guide Farm Walking Tour. See how berry crops are grown with an opportunity to sample and view farm equipment.
- The Farm House Market + Essex County Federation of Agriculture
12pm to 5pm: Tractor photo op, meet and greet with ponies, farm crafts + 12pm to 4:30pm: Essex County agriculture trivia game.
- Vivace Estate Winery
12pm & 2pm: Enjoy a winery tour. Passholders receive 20% off tasting flights.
In addition to the fun and excitement on the farm during Open Farms Day, visitors are also encouraged to register for the W.E. Heart Local Digital Passport at weheartlocal.ca and the opportunity to explore Farm Fresh all season long with 70+ participating partners. The pass is free and requires no downloading, and gives perks the more users check in and support local, including free swag, exclusive offers, and free digital tasting passports at our craft breweries & distilleries.
An additional Open Farms Day featuring additional W.E. Heart Local partners is also scheduled to occur on Saturday September 23rd, 2023.
