The Town of The Blue Mountains is excited to announce that Open Fields: The Blue Mountains Farm Tour will return for its second year on Saturday, October 5.
The Open Fields Farm Tour gives the public an opportunity to visit five local producers in the area, where they can learn about modern farming practices, meet the individuals who have dedicated themselves to agriculture, and explore the process of bringing food from farm to table. This free, family-friendly event will run from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 5.
Each Open Fields location will provide a different experience. Educational tours, workshops, demonstrations, live entertainment, family activities and vendors are some of the offerings available to attendees.
The participating locations are:
- Ardiel Acres – Apple Orchard – 356861 The Blue Mountains Euphrasia Townline, Clarksburg
Learn all about the apple industry from the Ardiels, and take a wagon ride through the orchard where you can learn about a century of apple growing in The Blue Mountains! Also featuring live music all day from Sandy Harron and Drew McIvor, Balloon Twisters, and activities with The Blue Mountains Public Library. - Blue Mountain Fruit Company – Apple Packing Facility – 067488 33rd Sideroad
Registration for tours of the Blue Mountain Fruit Company is full. Thank you for the great response, we look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow. Please enjoy the other stops on Open Fields! - Dreamfield Holsteins – Dairy Farm – 595224 4th Line
Take a tour of the Visser's dairy farm just south of Gibraltar! They milk around 48 cows, raise their replacements, and grow all the feed for the herd on the property. Live music from Kailey Jane Hawkins and Josh Fletcher, free face painting, the Beaver Valley Ag Society and more will be on location for the day! - Kimber Valley Farms – Sheep Farm – 236087 Beaver Valley Road
Kimber Valley is hosting its Field to Fibre Open House featuring weaving, spinning and felting demonstrations, feel freshly shorn fleece from their flock, mini farm tours to learn about their unique Viking Sheep, learn about the annual fall Icelandic sheep herding and Rettir, live music, food and fibre vendors! They're also offering a paid workshop to make a felted soap for $25 per person. - Spy Cider House & Distillery – Orchard & Distillery – 808108 24th Sideroad
Get a tour of the orchard and distillery with Head Cidermaker and Distiller Martha Lowry! After taking a tour, participate in free axe throwing at the AXED Trailer, enjoy live music from Marshall Veroni and Ian Robinson, take part in activities with the Blue Mountains Public Library and more!
“Open Fields gives our local agriculture community the spotlight they deserve,” says Mayor Andrea Matrosovs. “We have new locations and experiences for the public to enjoy, so I encourage everyone to join us for a day of exploring, fun and learning about these local agricultural operations on October 5.”
Open Fields is a free, rain-or-shine event that is open to all members of the public. Visitors are encouraged to wear proper footwear for a day on the farm. Attendees can visit the farms at any time throughout the day. Pre-registration is only required for the tours at the Blue Mountain Fruit Company. Registration for the tours at the Blue Mountain Fruit Company is currently full, but those interested may join the waitlist on the registration website.
For more information on Open Fields and the participating locations, visit www.exploreblue.ca/openfields or contact:
Allan Gibbons
Communications & Economic Development Coordinator
(519) 599-3131 ext. 266
This project is funded in part by the Ontario government through the Rural Economic Development Program.