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Highlighting farm and food experiences and fall foods in Wellington County and Guelph!
15th Annual
Taste RealOM Fall Rural Romp
September 25 - October 31, 2021
Fall Flavours Map - Farm Visits - Tours - Pumpkins - Corn Mazes - Harvest Foods - Fall Decorations and more!
We are excited to host our fall favourite event – the Fall Rural Romp in a revised format this year. Enjoy over five weeks of in-person and virtual farm and food experiences, events and fall foods to explore on your own time.
Share your experience with us! #RuralRomp #tastereal
Fall Flavours Map
Plan your own Rural Romp and let your taste buds take you on a tour of Wellington County and Guelph’s best fall flavours.
Check out the Fall Flavours Map and discover where to find must taste foods and farm products. Pumpkin butter tarts, apple cider and more - go on a country drive and plan your outing around your favourite tastes.
ALWAYS plan ahead and check opening hours/purchasing procedures for each business. Please remember that masks are mandatory at any commercial/public venue in Wellington County and Guelph. Please follow safety guidelines outlined by the individual businesses. View our Farm Gate Etiquette page for tips.
Rural Romp Activity Kit and Contests
Order a Rural Romp Activity Kit
One Activity Kit, Two Ways to Win!
This year, we are hosting two super fun ways to learn more about agriculture, fall flavours and Wellington County. It's a bonus that you also might win some awesome prizes.
First thing to do is to request a Fall Rural Romp Activity Kit to be mailed to your home. The Kit includes: a Package of Hawthorne Organic Farm's Pumpkin Seeds, a selection of favourite fall food recipes, a Local Food Map, and Colouring Sheets. The last two items are extra important as they will help you enter our two Rural Romp Contests:
- Fall Rural Romp Treasure Hunt: An interactive treasure hunt using the local food map.
- Fall Rural Romp Colouring Contest: your chance to show us your pumpkin colouring chops.
Farmers' Market Box - Orders Now Closed
This year, we brought local farmers’ markets to your doorstep! Every two weeks we got to experience a curated selection of outstanding local products from one of eight local markets in Wellington County or Guelph.
Now we only have one farmers' market box left: the Guelph Farmers' Market! Orders close on September 28 or when boxes sell out, so order yours today.
All boxes cost $59.00 and can be ordered online. Choose free pick up or get it delivered to your home for an additional $5.00. Your products will be delivered in a Taste Real cooler bag – yours to keep!
Farmers' Markets 
A fall farmers' market is such a treat! Meet your local farmers, learn about foods grown in your area and catch up with friends and neighbours while stocking up with local goods. While some Farmers' Markets close after the summer, some do not! See all the markets in Wellington County that will be open during Fall Rural Romp:
- Aberfoyle | Saturdays | Last Day is October 30
- Elora | Saturdays | Last Day is October 30
- Erin | Fridays | Last Day is October 1
- Guelph | Saturdays | Open year-round
- Minto | Saturdays | Last Day is September 25
- Rockwood | Wednesdays | Last Day is October 6
- Wellington North | Saturdays | Last Day is September 25
Fall Farm and Food Experiences
There are plenty of opportunities to venture out and experience harvest time and fall foods at Wellington County businesses.
Harvest Fun
Crisp nights, clear days - Fall might be the most beautiful season in Ontario. It certainly is a great time to explore the countryside, visit farms and share the local harvest. Pick your own pumpkins, find your way through a corn maze, enjoy virtual harvest festivals and more.
Pumpkin Season
The Fall season is here. Get out enjoy the smell of fresh crisp air, see the mountains of colour, and tour those county roads. It also means pumpkin flavoured EVERYTHING. Create family memories and PYO pumpkin. Pick your spot.
Local Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a wonderful opportunity to get together with family and friends and celebrate the local harvest with a good meal. Why not start with a fresh local turkey? Visit a farm directly, or pick up at a local food retailer. Find your perfect turkey.
Picnics and Pairings
Enjoy those last warm days, dress warm and step outside and experience Wellington County for day trips full of food and scenery. Get inspired by our list of favourite local picnic spots – with all the fixin’s to fill your basket. Plan your outing.
Butter Tarts
Ooey gooey, flakey and oh so sweet! We might be biased, but we think Guelph Wellington is the best place to find Ontario’s favourite sweet treat – the iconic butter tart. Delicious any time of year, we especially love them in fall. Oh, and have you ever tried a pumpkin buttertart? Find your butter tart.
Apple Season
Is there a better way to enjoy an autumn day than with a visit to an apple farm? Pick your own apples, check out goodies in the farm store and get inspired by delicious apple recipes. Find cider, preserves and PYO spots.
Trick AND Treat
Wellington County and Guelph are home to wonderful seasonal events. Here is your guide to some spooky and fun-TASTE-ic outings leading up to Halloween! Discover something spooktacular.
Learn About Agriculture
You may not be able to go on a farm tour right now, we have put together a list of posts, videos and workshops about agriculture, and local food you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home. Explore what local farms and organizations are offering.
Fibre Fun
Knitters, felters and weavers - explore our local sheep or alpaca farms and fibre mill for yarn, fibre products and inspiration. Some of the farms even offer tours! Discover local fibre farms.
Tours
Food and farm tours offer a unique way to get to know a place. Whether you are a visitor or call Guelph Wellington your home, we invite you to learn and discover unique tastes and flavours in our backyard. Book a tour.
Workshops and Classes
Are you an aspiring chef? Do you want to learn new skills and make products that can be found in or outside of the kitchen? Workshops and classes are a great way to develop various skills and learn a new recipe or cooking technique. Find your new class or workshop.
Events, Videos and More
Events
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Community Harvest Days at Everdale Farm - Various Dates |
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It’s harvest season, and we need your help! Everdale and The SEED invite you to join for Community Harvest Days, co-hosted by both organizations at Everdale. Carrots, potatoes, beets, squash and more waiting to be pulled out of the fields! In 2020, 207 volunteers helped to harvest 70,450 lbs of food. This year the goal is 100,000 lbs! Come on out and help reach this goal! Host Organization: Everdale Address: Bela Farm, 5750 Sixth Line, Erin Township Upcoming Dates: Friday, October 1, 2021 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. |
| Introduction to Permaculture - September 27 |
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Permaculture is a set of design principles centered on whole systems thinking, simulating, or directly utilizing the patterns and resilient features observed in natural ecosystems. This webinar will provide an introduction to permaculture and its principles with time to ask your own questions or share ideas. This event is offered as part of the Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program. Educational content is geared toward new farmers, but is open to all farmers who might be curious about a certain topic, wishing to expand their farming knowledge, or in need of a refresh. Host Organization: Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario Address: Online |
| Virtual Field Day: The Conscious Kitchen - September 29 |
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The Conscious Kitchen is a prepared meal, recipe box, and grocery subscription service that helps you eat in alignment with your values. Participants will be sent a pre-recorded video and then join us for a live discussion, question and answer session. Host Organization: Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario Address: Online |
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Fall Flavours of India: Live Zoom Cooking Class - September 30 |
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The Krisha Indian Cooking School hosts Fall Flavours of India: LIVE Zoom Cooking Class - butter chicken Host Organization: Krisha Indian Cooking School Address: Online |
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Pumpkinpalooza - Various Dates |
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Harwill Farms invites you to join for the 11th Annual Pumpkinpalooza family fun day at Harwill Farms. No registration required. $10/Person, includes a U-Pick Pumpkin. Children 2 and under are free. Host Organization: Harwill Farms Address: 5535 Line 89, Gowanstown, ON N0G 1Y0 Upcoming Dates: |
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Community Orchard Visioning Session - October 2 |
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The Ignatius apple orchard is in a process of transitioning into a diverse community orchard, with new plantings of chestnuts, hazelnuts, a half dozen types of berries, and more. As we diversify the species we also want to cultivate a collective of people interested in caring for it and learning important skills in fruit production. Would you like to contribute to the community orchard being a thriving site of local fruit production and education? Come to this workshop and discussion! Host Organization: Ignatius Farm Address: Ignatius Farm 5420 Hwy 6 N Guelph, ON N1H 6J2 |
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Insect Walk - October 3 |
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Heartwood’s orchards have an amazing diversity of insect life -- a few are pests, but many are contributing in fascinating ways to the health of our “forest garden”. You’re invited to join Aaron Fairweather, PhD candidate and lecturer at UofG, in our labyrinth orchard for an opportunity to explore the diversity of insects. Four, 1-hour time slots available. Host Organization: Heartwood Farm and Cidery Address: 5438 2nd Line, Erin, ON L7J 2L9 |
| Virtual Field Day: Sundance Harvest - October 6 |
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Sundance Harvest is a food justice centered, year-round, urban farm located in Toronto, Ontario. Participants will be sent a pre-recorded video and then join us for a live discussion, question and answer session. Host Organization: Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario Address: Online |
| Cider with the Cows - Various Dates |
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Join Val for an informative stroll out to Heartwood's rolling pastures. Enjoy a pour of your favourite glass of cider to sip among the cows and their new baby calves. In this up-close-and-personal 90 minute experience, learn about climate-friendly regenerative grazing, and how cows can help to heal the planet. Pet the cows, and say hello to our sheep flock and their llama, horse and pig friends. This is geared to adults, but engaged youth are welcome too (non-alcoholic cider available too)! Host Organization: Heartwood Farm and Cidery Address: 5438 2nd Line, Erin, ON L7J 2L9 Upcoming Dates: |
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The Ward Night Market - October 14 |
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Meet up with your friends & neighbours at our 2nd community-based, vendor-run night market. 20 Local vendors, pre order dinner from Laza www.lazafandb.com/local market Host Organization: Laza Food & Beverages Address: 74 Ontario St, Guelph, ON N1E 3B2, Canada |
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The Wonder-Fall Market Presented by Guelph Market - October 16 |
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Come and support your local small businesses, makers, creators and artisans! The first 20 attendees will get a gift bag! Host Organization: Guelph Market Address: Guelph Black Heritage Society, 83 Essex St, Guelph, ON N1H 3K9 |
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Spooky Stables at Grandways - October 16 |
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Are you looking for a scary adventure this Fall? Explore the first ever Spooky Stables in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Centre Wellington! A family friendly walk is open from 4-6pm or join us from 6-8pm in the dark for a frightful hair-raising experience! Host Organization: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Centre Wellington Address: Grand River Raceway 7445 Wellington County Rd. 21 Elora, ON N0B 1S0 |
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Harvest Fun Weekend - Various Dates |
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Harvest Fun Weekend at Strom's Farm & Bakery. Weekend activities include: Corn Maze, Sand Pit, Pumpkin Chuckin, Wagon Rides and more! Host Organization: Strom's Farm & Bakery Address: 5089 Wellington Rd 32 Guelph, ON N1H 6J4 Upcoming Dates: |
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Community Bonfire - October 17 |
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Join for an evening of friendship, meeting new neighbours, laughter around a roaring fire. Hosted by the Intentional Community this event is in a safe outdoor space to meet your local community and new friends. Host Organization: Crieff Hills Retreat Centre Address: Crieff Hills Retreat Centre, 7098 Concession 1, Puslinch, ON N0B 2J0 |
| Night Maze - Various Dates |
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Night Maze with Eats & Embers fire pit area. Fire Pits will be lit for sharing. S’mores, cookies and drinks are offered for sale. Host Organization: Strom's Farm & Bakery Address: 5089 Wellington Rd 32 Guelph, ON N1H 6J4 Upcoming Dates: |
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Hello Halloween SPOOKTACular Market - October 23 and 25 |
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A kid friendly event with trick or treating and swag bags for the adults. First 20 patrons will receive swag bags filled with handmade goodies and coupons to shop from the artisans on the market day! Host Organization: Celestho Inc. Address: Elora Centre For The Arts, 75 Melville St Elora, Ontario N0B 1S0 Upcoming Dates: |
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Fall Festival and Artisan Market - October 24 |
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One Day Only! Sunday October 24th from 10am-4pm. Admission will be $5 per person. We are happy to be opening up the farm for a one-day festival this October. Come enjoy a wonderful day at the farm, stroll through the corn mazes, pick out a pumpkin, take some family photos and check out the artisan market. Host Organization: The Fieldstone Barn Address: The Fieldstone Barn, 7450 Middlebrook Road, Elora Ontario, N0B1S0 |
| Annual Craft Market: Aberfoyle Farmers' Market - October 30 |
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Join for the annual craft market on Saturday October 30, 8am-1pm! Get a head start on Christmas shopping as the market will be full of new and returning artisans. There’s something for everyone: beautiful handmade goods including home decor, jewelry, clothing & accessories, soaps & personal care products, and so much more! Host Organization: Aberfoyle Farmers' Market Address: 23 Brock Rd S, Puslinch, ON N0B 2J0 |
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Halloween Scavenger Hunt - October 30 |
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On October 30, dress up and bring the kids for a romp around the property at Crieff Hills! Receive a map, instructions and your first clue when you check in at the schoolhouse. Follow the clues to the spooky forest, the old barn and they bale photo spot. Host Organization: Crieff Hills Retreat Centre Address: Crieff Hills Retreat Centre, 7098 Concession 1, Puslinch, ON N0B 2J0 |
Virtual (and in-person) Fall Fairs
| Erin Fair - October 8 - 11 |
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The Erin Fair is in-person this year, and includes:
And much more... Check out the full list of events and FAQs here. Host Organization: Erin Agricultural Society Address: Erin Fairgrounds 184 Main St, Erin, Ontario N0B 1T0 Upcoming Dates: |
Many local Fall Fairs went hybrid this year and celebrated farming and rural heritage with a mix of virtual and in-person activities. Check out the fall fairs listed below and browse some of their great online content.
- Fergus Fall Fair
- Arthur Fall Fair
- Aberfoyle Fall Fair
- Harriston-Minto Fall Fair
- Drayton Harvest Festival
Videos
| Sheep Farm Tour - video courtesy of the Arthur Agricultural Society |
| with Marshview Acres, Arthur https://youtu.be/SG7aG-aqM1Q |
| Artisanal Chicken Farm - video courtesy of the Arthur Agricultural Society |
| with Mapletwiss Farm, Arthur https://youtu.be/qPurvMqXYnA |
| Visit Honey Bees - video courtesy of the Arthur Agricultural Society |
| with New Hope Apiary, Belwood https://youtu.be/rp6BNfBJU7c |
| Pig Barn Tour - video courtesy of the Arthur Agricultural Society |
| Farm just outside of Arthur https://youtu.be/hi3Of3YIaRo |
| Grain Farming - video courtesy of the Arthur Agricultural Society |
| with Shawridge Farm, Wellington North https://youtu.be/WD4UTgugZmQ |
| Nutrient Management and spraying services - video courtesy of the Arthur Agricultural Society |
| with Clean Fields Services, Drayton https://youtu.be/2egZfSs8uJM |
“Ride Local, Shop Local” – Use RIDE WELL to get around during the Rural Romp!
Get 10% off your RIDE WELL trips by using the coupon code “TASTE REAL”
RIDE WELLᴼᴹ is Wellington County’s rural transit service offering door-to-door transportation throughout the County of Wellington and to or from the City of Guelph.
Service Hours are Monday-Friday, 6:00 am to 7:00 pm.
Book a Ride by using the RIDE WELL app, through the website www.ridewell.ca, or by phone at 1.833.900.RIDE (7433).
As a precaution against COVID-19, RIDE WELL has put measures in place to ensure the safety and well-being of our passengers. Visit www.ridewell.ca for more information.
