Top 10 Ways to Chill Out over the Long Weekend

1. Kick off the weekend with a fun-filled day at “Fridays on the Farm” at Mapleton’s Organic. This popular event offers free music, wagon rides, agricultural demonstrations and activities for the kids. The farmers will be firing up the grill and serving Mapleton’s own hamburgers and sausages as well as fresh seasonal salads and veggies prepared in the café. Get a taste of the farm every Friday from 4 – 8 p.m. throughout the summer until Labour Day.
2. Cool off under the sun by enjoying a big scoop of delicious, sustainably-produced, certified organic and fresh-from-the-farm ice cream and frozen yogurt. Mapleton’s Organic ice cream flavours include vanilla, chocolate, ginger, strawberry, cappuccino, vanilla chocolate chip and chai. Frozen yogurt choices include vanilla, strawberry and lemon. Hungry for more than a cold treat? Embrace the lazy, hazy days of summer and try a “Huckleberry” lunch while at Mapleton’s Organic – staff will pack a bagged lunch for you so that you can explore the farm while savouring delicious, local food.
3. Enjoy a refreshing “water spray zone” at Saunders Farm – a perfect way to cool down after exploring their collection of hedge mazes. The “Canadian Experience Maze” covers more than 23,000 square feet and features more than 100 large boulders, hundreds of trees, natural indigenous plants, bridges and water.
4. If you’re cottage bound, avoid the hustle-and-bustle of crowds at your local grocery store by picking up groceries at an on-farm market on the way. Don’t forget to load up again on your way back! Check out the Find a Farm locator to find farms along your cottage route.
5. Don’t have a cottage to head to but still want to get out of the city? Stay overnight at a farm, such as Grassroots Rural Retreat in the little village of Lucknow. Wander through its gardens, engage in farm activities and relax in its ‘Rural Spa’ to truly rejuvenate and relax this long weekend.
6. Take the stress out of dinner parties by inviting friends and family over for a casual barbeque. Make sure to visit a farmers’ market to treat your guests to fresh, local fare.
7. Spark your kids’ creativity by making a scrapbook together of fun activities you did together this summer.
8. Give the whole family a boost of sunshine and antioxidants by visiting a blueberry farm, such as Parks Blueberries and Hugli’s Blueberry Ranch. Now at peak season, your whole family can enjoy picking juicy, ripe blueberries and heading over to the bakeshop for freshly-baked blueberry muffins, scones, bars, pies and tarts. To find more blueberry farms, visit the Find a Farm locator.
9. Appreciate delicious fruit wines by visiting a number of wineries across the province, such as Archibald Orchards & Estate Winery in Bowmanville, that offer daily wine tastings.
10. Take time for yourself this long weekend – enjoy a good book, go see a movie, treat yourself to your favourite restaurant. Whatever you do, make the most of the long dog days of summer.