Tourism Windsor Essex Celebrates All Things Local & Farm Fresh During Open Farms Day
This Saturday Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island in partnership with the Essex County Federation of Agriculture presents Open Farms Day, a day of family fun and discovery on the farm. On Saturday June 15th users will be able to experience a self-guided journey to 11 stops throughout Windsor and Essex County and go behind-the-scenes to learn more about how our farmers bring a taste of local to your table.
“Tourism Windsor Essex is excited to profile another Open Farms Day, offering new and one-of-a-kind experiences for residents and visitors to learn more about local produce in the region, and go hands-on at some of our biggest agri-tourism partners”” said Gordon Orr, CEO of Tourism Windsor Essex. “We love celebrating farm-to-fork dining, and Open Farms allows users to see where their produce is coming from on a self guided experience. From activities for the family, to exclusive tasting opportunities for the adults, Open Farms offers users self guided experience across our region to 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 11 stops featuring on-the-farm experiences at different W.E. Heart Local program participants – fun for both the young, and young at heart. The passport will act as an exploration tool between the farms, and also the chance to win! Users need to check-in at 4 or more of the experiences for the 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. It is the opportunity to taste, sip and learn through thoughtfully curated experiences, including:
- Amherstburg Farmers Market – seed ‘bomb’ making
- Carolinia Cider Co. and The Fruit Wagon –cider tastings and a guided orchard tours at 1:30pm
- Downtown Windsor Farmers Market – multiple experiences including agriculture-themed craft station from Riberdy Farms, birding fun with Pelee Island Bird Observatory, freeze-dried food samples from Southwestern Ontario Gleaners, farmyard face-painting from Sunny Days, herb guessing with Good Greens, food waste solutions and slogan contest with the Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority
- Green Heart Farms – Farm tours, pick your own produce, a seedling sale, scavenger hunt, woods walks
- Lee & Maria’s – Farm tours
- Oxley Estate Winery – learn about the art of wine making and sample Weather Rock wine
- Raymont’s Berries – walking tours of the farm strawberry picking, Wolfhead Distillery strawberry gin sampling
- Sauve’s Country Market – cow milking (simulator), meet and greet with real dairy cows and other animals on the farm
- The Farm House Market – Party on the farm including inflatable slide & bouncer, face painting, cotton candy, popcorn, slushies, BBQ
- Viewpointe Estate Winery – Touch-a-Tractor
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 Pass at weheartlocal.ca and the opportunity to explore Farm Fresh all season long with 65+ participating partners. The pass is free and requires no downloading, rewarding perks the more users check in and support local including free swag, exclusive offers, and free digital tasting passports at our craft breweries & distilleries.
