Kawartha Localist is an editorial series from kawarthaNOW sharing trusted local recommendations, hidden gems, and favourite discoveries from people who know and love this region. It’s what we love about where we live. Kawartha Localist is sponsored by Kawartha Financial Services.
Summer might get all the glory when it comes to celebrating cottage country in Ontario, but fall is my personal favourite time of year to explore the greater Kawarthas region.
After all, this is the season of comfortable weather, fewer crowds, harvest events, and the return of quiet weekends meant for cozy mornings with a coffee or, dare I say, a pumpkin spice latte. Even better, all of this is set to a backdrop of stunning yellows, reds, oranges, and other exceptional colours of the changing foliage.
Across the greater Kawarthas region this fall, you’ll be able to enjoy all of that and so much more. From searching for that perfect pumpkin in a patch to sinking your teeth into crunchy apples, learning about life on a farm, and getting your scare on ahead of Halloween, there’s so much to look forward to exploring this season.
Here are just a few of the things to add to your agenda before the snow flies.
Go pumpkin bowling at MacArthur’s Pumpkin Patch in Oakwood
Now that sunflower season has wrapped up, fall is in full swing at MacArthur’s Pumpkin Patch — and there’s something there for everyone.
Located in Oakwood just outside of Lindsay, the family-operated farm is a one-stop shop for outdoor fun right up until Christmas. Owner Bruce MacArthur has been farming since 1978 and today he continues to foster a space that’s built for getting families to immerse themselves in nature and learn about the outdoors.
Every Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and holiday Monday, you can visit MacArthur’s Pumpkin Patch to stroll through patches of pumpkins, gourds, and squashes — who knew there were so many different types? With so many options, you can pick out enough for festive decor, to carve some jack-o-lanterns, and to use to make pumpkin pie.
You can spend the day exploring a corn maze with a story trail woven throughout, or look through the newly planted rows of lavender. Young children can go through a small version of the corn maze that’s decorated with facts meant to teach them all about life on the farm. If that’s still not enough fun, the farm offers a range of outdoor activities for young people, including Giant Jenga, pumpkin bowling, pumpkin tic tac toe, a teeter totter, a hamster wheel, straw bales for climbing, corn hole, and more.
Before you leave, don’t forget to check in to the farm store to browse and buy from a collection of locally made goods including maple syrup, honey, preserves, meats, cheese, eggs, bread, and more.
Located at 1146 Highway 7, MacArthur’s Pumpkin Patch is open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holiday Mondays until Christmas from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. To learn more, visit www.macarthurspumpkinpatch.ca.
Enjoy the fall colours on a guided hike during Hike Haliburton
Get a good look at the changing fall colours during the award-winning Hike Haliburton Festival, which runs from September 17 to 20 across the Haliburton Highlands.
This free four-day festival, which has been held annually for more than two decades, features more than 35 guided hikes, each led by knowledgeable local volunteers who are passionate about the land on which they live.
From easy family-friendly hikes to advanced trails for outdoor adventurers to hikes about the flora and fauna, local history, Indigenous teachings, or topography of the region, there really is something for everyone. You’ll see for yourself why the Haliburton Highlands is a go-to destination for both locals and visitors who enjoy nature.
The weekend is also an opportunity to do your own exploration around Haliburton County’s 2,000 kilometres of developed trails that explore the mix of Canadian Shield landscapes with more than 500 lakes. You can also book a paid excursion through a local outfitter or enjoy some of the art and culture events happening across the county.
To learn more and register for guided hikes, visit myhaliburtonhighlands.com/hike-haliburton/.
Bite into some fresh apples during Applefest at Lang Pioneer Village Museum in Keene
It’s one of the sweetest times of year at Lang Pioneer Village Museum in Keene with the return of Applefest, being held on Sunday, September 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Step into the past at this living history museum where the Kawarthas of the 19th century comes to life with restored and replicated historic buildings and costumed interpreters demonstrating the settler story of hardship and hope.
During Applefest, you’ll learn all about the time period by seeing antique clocks and timepieces from Quinte Timekeepers as well as a display from Port Hope’s Marie Dressler Foundation Vintage Film Festival.
Spend your day sinking your teeth into fresh apples and candy apples or sip on apple cider made with the Cider Mill in full operation. There will also be freshly popped kettle corn and candy floss available, as well as a BBQ lunch.
Throughout the day, you’ll have further opportunity to learn through demonstrations in sheep shearing, natural dyeing, chair caning, and threshing, while other family-friendly events include traditional music, horse and wagon rides, a children’s area with story times and crafts, the Peterborough Agricultural Society Homecraft Show, and old-fashioned school yard games.
Admission is $17 adults, $12 students and seniors, $9 children 5 to 14, and free for children under 5, with a family pass for two adults and up to four youth for $45. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door.
Lang Pioneer Village Museum is located at 104 Lang Road in Keene. For more information about Applefest and to purchase tickets, visit langpioneervillage.ca/see-do/events/applefest/.
Browse work from North Kawartha artists at the Apsley Autumn Studio Tour
Every September, art lovers travel from far and wide to North Kawartha in search of one-of-a-kind artwork during the annual Apsley Autumn Studio Tour, being held for its 33rd year on September 19 and 20.
During the free self-guided tour from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day of the weekend, nine artist studios spread out from Coe Hill to Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park will be open and inviting visitors to browse and buy artwork from 27 local and visiting artists.
Participating artists include painters, jewellers, glass blowers, sculptors, textile artists, potters, metal workers, and more, with many of the artworks inspired by the land on which they were created. What could be better than viewing them all with a backdrop of the stunning fall colours of northern Peterborough County?
With demonstrations held throughout the weekend, the tour also gives visitors an opportunity to pull the curtain back and see how an artist works, with artists also having the opportunity to directly connect with art lovers.
You can download the Toureka App to you phone and browse a list of participating artists, view their art samples, and curate your weekend with the stops you are most excited by. The app will curate a route for you that remains accessible even if your travelling in areas with poor cell service.
To learn more about the participating artists, visit apsleystudiotour.com.
Get lost in a sea-themed maze at McQuaid’s County Market in Omemee
If you’re not careful, you might just need to be rescued from the corn maze at McQuaid’s Country Market in Omemee.
A third-generation beef farm, McQuaid’s Country Market invites families and visitors to enjoy a full day of outdoor fun, beginning with taking a wagon ride to the eight acres of pumpkin patch. From jack-o-lanterns to dilly of a jacks to porcelain princesses, McQuaid’s grows over 40 different varieties of pumpkins, in any size and colour you can imagine.
You can then get lost in the nine-acre corn maze that’s known to be a challenge. This year’s theme is “Under the Sea,” and there are many twists and turns where you can lose your way. However, themed clues will help you escape the maze and, if you reach all 10 passport stations, at the end of the month you’ll be entered into a draw to win a gift basket stocked with products from the market store.
After the maze, enjoy family-friendly games, take your Instagram-worthy photos, and drop into the farm store for eggs, freezer beef, and locally sourced preserves, jams, maple syrup, honey, cheese, fudge, and more. There’s also tallow face products and tallow soap made from McQuaid’s Country Market’s beef suet. If you’re hungry, your lunch for the afternoon consists of BBQ burgers and hotdogs made with beef products straight from the farm.
Stay tuned as McQuaid’s Country Market announces other special events and activities throughout the season.
Located at 346 Peace Road in Omemee, McQuaid’s Country Market is open Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays throughout September and October, as well as Fridays in October. To learn more, visit www.mcquaidscountrymarket.com.
Go apple picking for some unique varieties at Pieter’s Appleyard in Colborne
If eating an apple a day keeps the doctor away, picking them too must be extra good for you.
When driving on Highway 2 between Port Hope and Brighton, you’re on what’s known as the Apple Route — as evident by The Big Apple, the most recognizable landmark along the 401. Just a short drive away is Colborne where you’ll find Pieter’s Appleyard, first started by the late Pieter Wyminga, who was a founding member of the Apple Route executive in Northumberland County.
Beyond the common gala, honeycrisp, empire, and ambrosia apples, at Pieter’s Appleyard you’ll find rare heritage varieties like the early mac, liberty, and crunchy and sweet silken apples.
Prefer not to break a sweat by picking your own? You can also drop in to buy bags of pre-picked apples of your choice. While you’re on site, don’t miss out on the opportunity to explore the three kilometres of nature trails that offer unbeatable views of the fall foliage as well as of Lake Ontario.
You can spend the day at the picnic tables or shopping from the country store that’s stocked with apples, cheese curds, homemade apple cider, and other fresh goods.
Located at 13516 County Road 2 in Colborne, Pieter’s Appleyard is open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursdays through Mondays until the end of October. To learn more, visit pietersappleyard.ca.
Celebrate local agriculture across the Kawartha Lakes during Kawartha Farmfest
Fall means its time for the 24th annual Kawartha Farmfest, a self-guided driving tour of farms across Kawartha Lakes that takes place on Saturday, October 3.
Organized by the City of Kawartha Lakes, you are invited to bring the whole family to visit nine family-operated local farms and other attractions from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can explore the property, learn about life on the farm, and engage in some family-friendly fall activities. From delicious treats to demonstrations and activities, each farm has something different to offer.
You can start your day in the sweetest way at Maplefest at the Roost Farm in Brechin before learning all about sheep shearing, sheep dog herding, and sheep farming at Schaiwind Farm in Woodville. Or perhaps you’d like to learn about organic farming at O’Brienview Farm in Cameron, or collect eggs at Sims Farm in Fenelon Falls. From corn mazes to guided tours, giant pumpkins, and apple picking, there are many things to learn and do during Kawartha Farmfest.
Participating farms include:
- The Roost Farm, 3314 Kirkfield Road, Brechin
- Schaiwind Farm, 84 Goose Lake Road, Woodville
- Holliday’s Farm Fresh Vegetables, 1641 Glenarm Road, Woodville
- O’Brienview Organic Farm, 688 Country Lane, Cameron
- Sims Farm, 1394 Kawartha Lakes County Road 121, Fenelon Falls
- McQuaid’s Country Market, 346 Peace Road, Omemee
- Lunar Rhythm Gardens, 253 Gray Road, Janetville
- Stellmar Farm, 136 Sandbar Road, Little Britain
- Valentia Equestrian Centre, 188 Valentia Road, Little Britain
- Lindsay Farmers’ Market, Victoria Avenue (north of Kent Street), Lindsay
- Kinmount Farmers’ Market, Austin Sawmill Heritage Park, 5 Station Road, Kinmount
- Kawartha Dairy in Bobcaygeon, 91 Prince Street, Bobcaygeon
- Kawartha Dairy in Lindsay, 71 Russell Street, Lindsay
To learn more, visit kawarthalakes.ca/explore-play/events/kawartha-farmfest/.
Pick your own potatoes at Bragg Farms in Clarington
You’ve probably heard about picking your own pumpkins and picking your own apples in the fall, but did you know there’s also a place just west of Northumberland County where you can pick your own potatoes?
Bragg Farms is an eighth-generation family-owned farm in Clarington that has continued to evolve and introduce new ways for visitors to connect with the land. In 1991, Bragg’s Wild Birdseed was first established and, since then, the farm has grown to become a destination for sunflower experiences and pick-your-own potato experiences in the fall.
On weekends until Thanksgiving, you can drop by the family farm and get a tractor ride out to the fields to fill a burlap sack or basket with as many yellow-skin, red-skin, russet potatoes, or sweet potatoes as your heart — and stomach — desires. Your experience will begin with a farming tutorial and the proper tools and tips so you’ll have everything you need to get digging!
At the end of your experience, get a taste of Bragg Farms signature and famous maple pecan sweet potato pie and sweet potato brownies.
If you don’t wash them and you store them properly in the burlap sacks, these potatoes won’t go bad as quickly as store-bought potatoes. In fact, they might just last you all winter — according to owner Brittany Bragg, they can last until beyond the new year, right up until Easter.
The experience is only available Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. until Sunday, October 4. Bragg Farms is located at 3048 Concession Road 3 in Clarington, east of Bowmanville. For more information, visit www.braggfarms.ca.
Watch the pumpkin cannon at Pumpkinfest held at Buckhorn Berry Farm
Every year, children and adults alike get a thrill from watching pumpkins blast out of a cannon during the annual Pumpkinfest at Buckhorn Berry Farm in October.
Every year, Buckhorn Berry Farm — owned and operated by the McLean family of McLean’s Berry Farm — gets turned into a haven for those who love fall. With nearly eight acres of pumpkin patches, you can find anything from long and slender pumpkins to ones that are wide and short and everything in between. After you’ve picked your favourites, head to the cannon show and watch a pumpkin explode!
During Pumpkinfest, you’ll also find a haunted and non-haunted corn maze, haunted graveyard, haunted forest, as well as mini golf, straw bales, wagon rides, bouncy castles, vendors with delicious harvest treats, and so much more. There are spooky offerings to serve different ages and fright levels.
With one shelter available for reservations, Pumpkinfest makes for an exciting and unique place to celebrate birthday parties and other special events. With daily live entertainment and a stocked farm store and food truck, you’ll have plenty of reason to stay the whole day.
Pumpkinfest runs for the first four weekends in October from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. until the Thanksgiving long weekend on October 24 and 25 (closed Thanksgiving Monday).
Buckhorn Berry Farm is located at 3055 Berrie Road in Selwyn Township just south of Buckhorn. To learn more, visit mcleanberryfarm.com/events/pumpkin-festival/.
See some massive pumpkins and enjoy a scary corn maze at Stellmar Farm in Little Britain
You can find some of the largest pumpkins around at Stellmar Farm, located in Little Britain.
Owners of the farm since 1999, Joseph Stellpflug and David Martin (the farm’s name is a combination of their surnames) both grew up on farms and now share that love with those who visit their property. Stellpflug has pumpkin-growing in his blood, considering his father held three world records in his lifetime for growing giant pumpkins.
Stellpflung says that, in their time operating the farm, they’ve come close by growing pumpkins as large as 800 pounds. At Stellmar Farm, there are about five acres dedicated to pumpkin-growing and this year’s produce is looking plentiful. You can pick out an Atlantic Giant pumpkin, jack-o-lanterns up to 50 pounds, or more than 55 other varieties, as well as gourds and squash.
Stellmar Farm also has a four-acre corn maze with 35 dead ends. Each one has a scarecrow (or “monster”) put up by a local business who choose to “sponsor a monster” and you’ll have the chance to vote on your favourite. At the end of the season, the business with the most points gets bragging rights, while those who vote are entered into a weekly draw for a gift package from the farm or from some of the business sponsors.
For a bit of a spookier maze, Stellmar Farm partners with the Lindsay Brewing Company from 7 to 10:30 p.m. on Friday nights from September 25 to October 16 for Boos and Brews, where actors are added to the second-half of the maze (the first half is more child-friendly). The ticketed events also feature live music, with beer and wine and hot dogs available for purchase. Bring a lawn chair and a flashlight.
While at Stellmar Farm, you’ll find a farm store stocked with preserves or you can purchase value packs of pumpkins, gourds, hay bales, and more to help you decorate your home. The farm is also well-known for serving up a famous one-pound pumpkin bread loaves that sell out every weekend.
Stellmar Farm is open at 136 Sand Bar Road in Little Britain from noon to 5 p.m. on Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and Thanksgiving Monday. To learn more, visit www.stellmarfarm.com
Take your family to a fall agricultural fair, including the Lindsay Ex
From livestock shows and tractor pulls to demolition derbies and midway rides, there’s so much family-friendly fun to be had at agricultural fall fairs in the Kawarthas.
The largest in the region — and the fourth-largest agricultural fair in Ontario — is the Lindsay Exhibition, held by the Lindsay Agricultural Society from September 19 to 27. On the event schedule you’ll find a truck show, a heavy horse show, antique farm equipment demonstrations, livestock shoes, horse pulls, agricultural displays, vendor booths, a midway, and many more family friendly activities. To learn more and purchase tickets, visit www.lindsayex.com/lex.
Other fall agricultural fairs in the Kawarthas region include the Port Hope Fair from September 17 to 20, the Bobcaygeon Fall Fair from October 1 to 3, the Roseneath Fair from October 2 to 4, and the Norwood Fair on the Thanksgiving long weekend from October 10 to 12.
Other fall harvest festivals include the Honey Harvest Festival in Port Hope on September 19, Brighton Applefest from September 24 to 27, Harvest Fest in downtown Cobourg on October 3, and the Keene Pumpkin Festival on October 17.
Kawartha Localist is an editorial series from kawarthaNOW celebrating the places, experiences, businesses, and communities that make our region extraordinary. Written by people who live here, work here, and have spent nearly 30 years exploring the Kawarthas and surrounding region, each edition shares trusted local recommendations, hidden gems, and favourite discoveries from across Peterborough County, the City of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, Haliburton County, and Hastings Highlands.
Whether you’re looking for your next hiking trail, favourite patio, scenic drive, farmers’ market, or weekend adventure, Kawartha Localist is what we love about where we live.
Kawartha Localist is sponsored by Kawartha Financial Services.
