WELLINGTON COUNTY – A popular semi-annual, self-guided food and farm tour is back later this month, focusing on Wellington County’s southern farms.
The Fall Rural Romp is Sept. 27, from 10am to 4pm, with some locations opening earlier and some staying open late.
The tour has 23 businesses participating and “it is one of our largest romps to date,” county economic development coordinator Heather Vasey told the Advertiser.
These “farm and food tours introduce residents and visitors to various farms and businesses as well as agriculture learning opportunities,” she said.
Vasey noted the public can meet producers/owners and ask questions to gain a better understanding of local agriculture, where food comes from and how beverages are produced using local ingredients.
“It’s a great event,” Vasey said. “The Rural Romp services both educational experiences and the platform for community connections while supporting the local food economy.”
The Spring Rural Romp, occurs in May and focuses on businesses in Mapleton, Minto and Wellington North.
The fall romp features Centre Wellington, Erin, Guelph/Eramosa, Puslinch and Guelph. Both events are hosted by Taste Real, a county initiative.
“We have at least six new locations … every place offers a different experience,” Vasey said.
Some participating businesses include:
- Cox Creek Cellars;
- Elora Distilling Company;
- Red Rabbits Gardens;
- Strom’s Farm and Bakery;
- Wilowhead Family Farm; and
- The Fieldstone Barn.
“We have an apiary where they will be doing a honey extraction, there’s farm tours, behind-the-scene distillery tours, corn mazes,” Vasey said.
She noted the event grows each year, with “a lot of residents coming out and discovering new locations.”
The Rural Romp has been registered as a Culture Days event, “and we’re excited to be part of that organization,” Vasey said.
Culture Days, which runs from Sept. 19 to Oct. 12, offers events focusing on arts, culture and heritage across the province.
During the Fall Rural Romp, a treasure hunt contest will be available to guests.
“You can find our QR code sign at each participating rural romp location and you can answer a trivia question about that location,” Vasey said.
Trivia participants can win one of three $100 gift certificates to a Taste Real partner business.
“Each different location offers a chance, so the more you visit the more chances you have to win,” she said.
“[It] keeps the dollars in the community and gets people exploring a little bit more as well, even after the event.”
Participating businesses
Kristi Mercier, owner of Harmony Meadows Alpaca Farm in Centre Wellington, has been a Rural Romp participant since the beginning.
“We have 47 alpacas, one llama, three baby goats and a whole bunch of free-range chickens wandering around, so people will get the chance to meet everybody and learn all about them,” Mercier told the Advertiser.
The farm will allow guests to view the animals in their space, with children’s colouring stations and arts and crafts.
“The biggest thing is getting an opportunity to be up close and personal with the animals,” said Mercier
“It’s really important for people, especially families with kids, to learn more about animals, how we can work and live with them and how they can make our lives better.”
She added, “We have picnic tables if people are looking for a spot to stop and hang out for a little,” she added.
John and Christine Veit, of Wicked Welly Farm and Apiary, will also be participating this year.
The husband-and-wife duo hopes guests stop by to learn about sustainable farming and practices employed on the farm.
Guests will also “get a chance to do some sampling and purchase any products we make,” John said.
The Centre Wellington farm will offer guided tours, kid activities and share educational displays such as different egg sizes.
“We did the Rural Romp last year and had almost 200 people,” John said.
“It’s just a fun day where we get to show off what we do.”
For more information on the Fall Rural Romp, visit wellington.ca.
