by Andréa Parisien | September 2024
“Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the Fall.”
– F. Scott Fitzgerald
Dear Summer 2024: it’s been a slice xoxo!
But there’s a new season rolling into town. One grounded in back-to-school routines, cozy sweaters and warm spices. Don’t let the cooler temperatures fool you: there are plenty of adventures still to be had!
Here are some fresh Fall offerings in Waterloo Region that are sure to boost those serotonin levels.
🍂FESTIVALS
September 19 – 20
Farm League Brewing has curated a celebration of music, food and drink, featuring The Beaches, JJ Wilde, Tim Baker and Bahamas and many more. Hosted by comedian Tige Wright, the event offers general admission and VIP packages for single-day or weekend passes. Space is limited at The Gaslight District, so get your tickets today!
September 27 – October 19
This treasured tradition is back and better than ever! A robust event calendar invites you to indulge in live music, vendor markets, authentic German eats and biergartens. Legendary voice of the Toronto Raptors Jack Armstrong has been tapped as this year’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Grand Marshal on Monday October 14th. (Attendees are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item or cash donation to support the Onkel Haus Food Drive.) From quintessential staples like the keg tap and free family breakfast, to spicier events like Goat Fest, this year’s festivities will have you raising a stein with a resounding ‘Prost!’
🤠FARM FUN
Open Year-Round
Canada’s largest year-round indoor and outdoor farmers’ market is more than a scenic place to purchase fresh produce and handmade trinkets; it’s also host to seasonal celebrations! Tickets are now on sale for the Harvest Hoedown, an evening of live music, line dancing, mechanical bull riding and more! The Oktoberfest WunderWagen will be stopping by on Thanksgiving weekend for the market’s inaugural Polka and Play event. And Halloween Kids Day promises a spook-tacular day of free family fun for the little ones. Consider purchasing a Heritage Hopper day pass from Waterloo Central Railway to book-end your Fall visit to the Market. Catch this hop-on/hop-off return train ride at the farmers’ market station, and then ride through the picturesque countryside that includes stops in St. Jacobs and Elmira.
Now Until Season Ends
Take a hands-on approach to your harvest this year with a Pick-Your-Own experience! Choose from 14 varieties of crisp apples or snip a bouquet of sunflowers to bring that orchard feeling home. Pumpkin bowling, Farmer Downey’s Play Field and a corn maze add to the fun, while the market offers delicious goodies to serve up later.
September 7 – October 27
From porch pumpkins, to carving pumpkins to the little cuties that complete a dinner tablescape…finding the perfect pumpkin is no easy feat! Such decisions warrant a family outing to the 16-acre patch at Snyder’s, where FARM-tastic fun grows. Extend your day by getting lost in the corn maze, hopping on a hayride in search of that sneaky Corn Bandit or whizzing down the new Mega slide. For next-level fun, book a private VIP campfire experience and test those S’mores-making skills. If haunted houses are more your style, make a beeline for Fear Farm and its seven nightmarish attractions. (But be warned: they are not for the faint of heart!)
Pro Tip: Snyder’s Farm is one of the attractions featured in the Fall Family Fun and Haunted Harvest Experience Packages. Book a package and make it easy to explore more while you’re in Waterloo Region!
🥧FOOD
September 28th
Also known as the ABC Festival, this ode to Fall kicks off bright and early with a 7am pancake and sausage breakfast. From 8am-4pm, visitors can wander the food and craft market, take in the antique car display and tractor show, or try their hand at the horseshoe tournament. The event also offers live entertainment, a kiddie fun track and hard cider sampling. Admission and parking are free.
October 18 – 27
Cambridge is fast becoming known for its diverse, exciting and vibrant culinary scene. So much so that the city’s 50th anniversary was celebrated last year with a 10-day tasting adventure aptly named Cambridgelicious. By popular demand, the event is making a comeback and promises to deliver fresh new flavours, old family favourites and everything in between. Stay tuned for a list of participating restaurants and be sure to try this “deliciously local experience.”
Summer in Waterloo Region may be nearing its finish line, but the hand-off to fall promises a lively calendar of events to take in before the frost.
F. Scott Fitzgerald said it best: “Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the Fall.”
*****
Hospitality & Communications specialist Andréa Parisien is a spirited champion of the Food & Beverage scene in Waterloo Region. A self-proclaimed ‘curvy vegan,’ she believes in supporting local businesses one delicious bite and bevvy at a time! She spends her days teaching Hospitality & Culinary Arts students the importance of building trust, being consistent and delivering a finessed level of customer service. Breaking bread with others is definitely this gal’s love language.