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  • How to Curate a County Art Collection 🎨
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How to Curate a County Art Collection 🎨

It’s been said that art is everywhere in The County. There’s no shortage of public galleries and studios in which to view and purchase a wide variety art. But how do you begin a collection? We asked the experts at Oeno Gallery, Sybil Frank Gallery and Hatch Gallery for their insight.

Here’s what they had to say.

“Under the Eaves” coloured pencil, detail. Allison Fagan ©2009 | Collection of Susan Hierli

Please note that during the COVID-19 pandemic, there are currently advisories and/or restrictions on travel to Prince Edward County. Please see our COVID-19 Essential Info page for the latest updates. Luckily, you can enjoy and even acquire a slice of Prince Edward County by visiting the galleries, exhibitions and events online through the links provided.

Collect what you love

You will see it in your home every day. What type of art makes your heart sing? Do you favour Corot or Picasso? Are you excited by realism or abstraction? For Craig Alexander, owner of The Sybil Frank Gallery in Wellington, the main thing to think about when purchasing a piece of art is longevity. Will you still love it in a year or two?  You don’t want to purchase a piece of art that you’ll tire of. He adds: “Art should evoke an emotion of some sort. There should be a connection with the piece, something that makes you smile, or evokes wonderful memories.”

Art should capture your eye – and your heart – with the potential to keep drawing you in for a long time, says Sybil Frank Gallery owner Craig Alexander. | Photo Courtesy: @sybilfrankgallery

Consult with experts

Once you have decided on a style you’d love to live with, don’t be afraid to talk to art dealers and gallery owners, who can help you find works to suit you and your budget. “A good gallerist will be able to help you develop your eye and your preferences,” says David Hatch of Hatch Gallery in Bloomfield. “Ask a pile of questions; a good dealer will happily take the time to answer.” Carlyn Moulton of Oeno Gallery in Bloomfield agrees. “Take advantage of the knowledge that private dealers have – typically we share our expertise with collectors freely and can help to find the desired works.”

Work by Kimberly Danielson, shown recently at Bloomfield's HatchGallery.
Work by Kimberly Danielson, shown recently at Bloomfield’s Hatch Gallery. | Photo Courtesy: @HatchGallery346

Deciding on a budget

Is your art simply a beautiful addition to your home, or are you purchasing as an investment? Will you be allocating an annual budget for art investment with a view to creating a significant portfolio? Perhaps you are more interested in buying with serendipity as a guide, collecting art as it crosses your path. You don’t need pots of money to begin, there is a piece of art for every budget. And keep in mind that if you fall in love with something that completely blows your budget, many galleries and individual artists are more than willing to work out a payment plan.

Two ceramic busts patterned with a skyline view in the enigmatic “Metropolis” by Irish sculptor Gráinne McHugh | Photo Courtesy: @oenogallery

Change it up

Carlyn Moulton advises that it’s okay to “trade up.” Your collection can be refined by investing in better pieces or becoming more focused on a style or particular artist. “Building an art collection can be a very rewarding experience as collectors engage with artists, art dealers and other collectors. If the art is chosen carefully from artists with a reputation and track record, it can appreciate significantly,” she adds.

Maud Lewis paintings, once sold for a few dollars, today command as much as $55,000 at auction. | Photo Courtesy: @oenogallery

Art as investment

Hatch says that when it comes to paintings, “there are works that are known to be just like blue chip stocks. They will always hold their value and in most cases, they will go up over time. But this can also happen with emerging and mid-career artists too.” Sue Holland, a long-time County resident and curator of the Belleville Library’s Parrott Gallery, advises that anything of value will need an appraisal for insurance purposes, and you will need an insurer who has fine art policies.

Original oil panting by Milé Murtanovski titled ‘Furious Blunder’ | Photo Courtesy: Small Pond Arts

Tax benefits

If you are collecting for investment purposes you should also be aware that certain tax benefits are available should you decide in the future to donate your art to a museum or gallery. But there are strict rules, notes Green Point resident and Certified Financial Planner Randy Holt. Verifiable Canadian art work donated receives a 100 per cent estate tax deduction subject to caveats including a certifiable art evaluation by a recognized source. “My grandmother said this was painted by Tom Thompson,” just won’t wash with the CRA. “You need the provenance if the deduction is challenged, and they DO challenge,” he says.

“Fletcher’s Field Barns” Limited Edition Lithograph Deidre Hierlihy ©2017 printed at Sparkbox Studio. | Collection of Susan Hierlihy

Art therapy

Many studies have shown that living with art can reduce stress and create a sense of well-being. It can inspire and energize, and spark conversation. What better reason to trust your gut and go out and buy what you love? The Art in the County exhibition, PEC Studio Tour and galleries of Prince Edward County are a great place to start!

–

Visit the Prince Edward County Arts Council for more information about artists living and creating in The County.

By Susan Hierlihy. (updated April 2021)

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💃 Dance it Out 🕺⁠ ⁠ Whether you want to 💃 Dance it Out 🕺⁠
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Whether you want to take to the floor yourself or you prefer to sit back and appreciate the art form that is dance, these upcoming performances and dance parties are for you. ⁠
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🕊 @flightfestivalpec takes place from August 9-14 on the @festivalplayers stage at @eddiepec. Enjoy a dynamic week of contemporary dance performances, workshops, and community engagement. ⁠
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You're invited to receive 25% off 7 PM evening performance tickets for Tues, Aug 9 & Wed, Aug 10 by using the code: FLIGHT25 Head to festivalplayers.ca to purchase your tickets. ⁠
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🎻 JOURNEYS the @biglake_arts Festival 2022 season takes place from August 12-19 and presents music from the past and the present, originating from different countries and influenced by disparate cultures from around the world. One such performance "Fiddle N Dance" presents traditional Celtic fiddle tunes and songs, plus some dust-kicking, championship-winning step dancing among the apple trees @lochmorciderco. Explore the full program at biglakefest.com⁠
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🌾 Want a chance to dance it out weekly? Head to the @the_hayloft_dancehall for their Saturday night Barn Party. Featuring live performances or a DJ, The Hayloft is one of the best spots to get your body moving on a Saturday night here in The County. Be sure to book your tickets in advance to enjoy this iconic County experience. ⁠
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🌄 More of an early riser? Join us for the weekend of August 20-21 for ALVAR by the @deptofillumination at @Base31. ALVAR is a free festival celebrating this unique and precious ecosystem of the Great Lakes region, and both days of the festival begin with a Sunrise Dance Party. ⁠
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🍷 Okay, it's true: we love a barn dance! Join Karlo Estates for their DJ Barn Dance on the first Friday of each month from 6-9 PM alongside wines by the glass and vegan bar nibbles. ⁠
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For more information about these and other events where you can get your groove on, head to visitpec.ca/events. ⁠
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC
☀ Long County Weekends ☀⁠ ⁠ It's hard to b ☀ Long County Weekends ☀⁠
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It's hard to believe, but the second long weekend of summer is here! We hope to see you here among the sand and vines. ⁠
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Keep in mind, though, that @sandbankspp is an incredibly popular spot on this long weekend. So much so that Day-Use access has already sold out July 29 through August 1st. So we ask that you please don't proceed to Sandbanks without your reservation already secured. North Beach is sold out on July 30 & 31 with some availability August 1.⁠
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But don't worry, there's still plenty on the go this weekend for you to enjoy...⁠
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🍷 Enjoy a tasting at one of our 40+ wineries, being sure to download the PEC Wine Explorer App to help plan your outing (link in bio). Want to explore beyond the grape? We also have countless breweries, distilleries, cideries, and meaderies to whet your palate with. ⁠
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🖼 Enjoy a weekend of art with events like like Art & Design: Indigenous Artists' Exhibit and Sale @TheCountyMuseums, titled \ untitled @2galleryPEC, Outlet | new paintings by Andrew King at Mad Dog Gallery, and Energy and Light featuring works by @tom.ashbourne and @claudia_mccabe_art at the @CountyArts Lab⁠
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🛍 Discover local wares at @wellingtonfarmersmarket, @wellingtoncommunitymarket, @pictontownhallfarmersmarket, check out the weekly trunk show @mustangdriveinpec, or browse handmade works at the one-day Pink Cow Market @lalalandglassstudio⁠
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🎭 Catch the final weekend of The Shape of Home as part of @festivalplayers or experience the joy of the Roamin' Theatre Roulant by @stationroadarts, performing Boxcar Cowboy this weekend @base31pec 
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To discover even more activities and events to fill your long weekend with fun, head to VisitPEC.ca or check out our Events story highlight. ⁠
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Image description: A masculine hand holds a small tasting glass while dining al fresco. In the background, a server holds a bottle of Closson Chase wine, displaying the label after pouring. ⁠
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Image by Daniel Vaughan⁠
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC
🎶 Music in the Air 🎶⁠ ⁠ If you're lookin 🎶 Music in the Air 🎶⁠
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If you're looking to add some live music to your upcoming visit to PEC, we've got you covered. Here's just some of the musical events you'll find on our event listing on VisitPEC.ca (link in bio): ⁠
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✈ Live music @base31pec kicks off with a concert by Sarah Harmer this Friday, July 22. Tickets still remain for this event, as well as for their other upcoming concerts from David Wilcox and Bedouin Soundclash. ⁠
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🤠 This Saturday, July 23, Music From The Vineyard Country Music Festival at @terraestatewinery features a fantastic selection of country music artists alongside local artisanal pop-ups.⁠
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🎼 Enjoy a series of performances of chamber, choral, and orchestral works from students and esteemed faculty artists each weekend from July 23 - August 14 as part of the @musicatportmilford Festival. ⁠
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🤘 Step back in time with classic rock cover concerts like @tommyyoungsteen's Very Best of The Rolling Stones at Crystal Palace, or the Epic Eagles Tribute @RegentTheatrePicton, both on July 30.⁠
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🍷 Enjoy a free jazz guitar performance from @aaronnash.ca at @exultetestates on July 31 while sipping away on estate-grown wines.⁠
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🎸 Attend weekly blues performances at the @countybluesbarn at @hilliercreekwinery from performers like Harrison Kennedy and The Johnny Max Band. ⁠
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🎻 @BigLake_Arts 2022 Festival season JOURNEYS kicks off on August 12 for a week of epic classic musical performances from world-class, international musicians. ⁠
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🎷 PEC Jazz festival returns from August 16 - 21 for a fantastic selection of jazz performances popping up throughout Prince Edward County. ⁠
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For our full line-up of events including music, theatre, comedy and so much more head to VisitPEC.ca/events for details. Link in bio 👆⁠
Image courtesy of @exultetestates⁠
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Image description: Jazz guitarist Aaron Nash performs on a patio in summertime, the golden hour light making for a magical scene. ⁠
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC
🍃 PAUSE 🖼⁠ ⁠ Pause is a unique experienc 🍃 PAUSE 🖼⁠
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Pause is a unique experience that encourages you to pause. Learn to engage all your senses and embrace the beauty of nature, then bring that beauty into a piece of art that you created under the guidance of an experienced encaustic artist.⁠
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Inspired by the Japanese tradition of shin-rin yoku or more commonly referred to as forest bathing, you’ll be led on a meditative nature walk by a local herbalist. During this meditative walk, your guide will help you to connect to nature, identifying local plants, and teaching you about their medicinal and healing properties. The idea is that you will feel a sense of calm and clarity that will inspire a piece of art that you create yourself.⁠
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After your nature walk, you will then return to @meltstudiogallery, where you will compose a collage encaustic painting. Guided by an experienced encaustic artist, you will create an original art piece using items that you collected during your walk, along with some additional pieces if you choose that will be provided.⁠
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Book your PAUSE experience today or head to VisitPEC.ca/experience-the-county/ (links in bio) to explore other special County experiences designed to help you immerse yourself in our local art, agriculture, nature, and history.⁠
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@hawthornherbals @honeypiehh @susanwallisart⁠
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #ExperienceTheCounty #PAUSE #MeltStudioGallery #ForestBathing #EncausticPainting
🎤 Make 'Em Laugh 🎤⁠ ⁠ Want to add a dose 🎤 Make 'Em Laugh 🎤⁠
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Want to add a dose of laughter to your PEC visit? Book tickets to an upcoming comedy show for an uplifting experience. ⁠
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🍏 Take in some comedy among the apple trees with Comedy at the Cider House on July 16 - a delicious partnership between @comedycountryfestival and @countycider. ⁠
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🍺 Enjoy an evening of belly laughs in the beer garden @gillinghambrewing. The next County Craft Comedy event is July 22, but you can look forward to these events monthly through December! ⁠
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🛶 A highlight of the pandemic summers of 2020 & 2021, Comedy on the River is back this year for two nights of floating fun. Join @comedycountryfestival and @cabinfeverkayak on August 20 and September 10 and laugh your way through this award-winning experience. ⁠
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🏳‍🌈 We're Funny That Way, a Queer Cabaret Comedy Festival, is making its comeback at @base31pec over Labour Day weekend. A benefit for The Rainbow Charity Network, we can't think of a better way to spend the final long weekend of summer. ⁠
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Want to check out our full line-up of events including comedy, music, theatre, and more? Head to VisitPEC.ca/events for details. Link in bio 👆⁠
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Image by @gillinghambrewing⁠
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Image description: A comedian performs at one of Gillingham Brewing's County Craft Comedy nights outside under a blue evening sky. The crowd can be seen in the beer garden, laughing away. ⁠
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC
✈A Destination in Progress ✈⁠ ⁠ The rumour ✈A Destination in Progress ✈⁠
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The rumours are true -  Loch Sloy, Camp Picton, The Heights - whatever name you have known it by, is now revamped and under new management, and we're giving them warm welcome in our latest blog post! Check it out at the link in our bio to learn more about what you can expect from @Base31PEC this summer and beyond. 👆⁠
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Can't wait to check out this destination in progress for yourself? ⁠
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🎫 attend the free Community Open House this Saturday, July 9th⁠
🎙 grab tickets to the grand re-opening of the historic Drill Hall on July 22nd, featuring Sarah Harmer in concert⁠
🚶‍♀️ learn more about this historic location through a site tour, happening every Saturday through September 3. ⁠
📍 Check out the businesses you know and love located at Base31, like @meltstudiogallery, @escapecamppicton, @maison.depoivre, and more!⁠
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For even more information about what's to come from Base31, head to VisitPEC.ca/blog⁠
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Image description: The weathered tiles of two barrack buildings at Base31 - one green, one brown, layer beautifully under a blue sky in golden-hour light. Above the image is a white banner which reads "Introducing Base31, a destination in progress in PEC". ⁠
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Image by @JohnnyCYLam, used with permission from @Base31 ⁠
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC
🐴 Bloomin' Welly Alpaca Trekk 🌳⁠ ⁠ This 🐴 Bloomin' Welly Alpaca Trekk 🌳⁠
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This experience with the alpacas @noblebeastfarms is a perfect event to kick off your day in The County. Have FUN in the great outdoors. Silence your phone and let the busyness of life slip away while we engage your senses exploring our heritage alpaca farm.⁠
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Meet and walk a special alpaca. Feel the softness of alpaca fibre, watch their smiling faces and learn about some of their unusual behaviours. And no farm visit would be complete without seeing some of the baby alpacas (cria)! ⁠
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Inspired by the two hip and hoppin’ towns that flank Noble Beast Farms — Bloomfield and Wellington — this experience is suitable for guests of all ages wanting to slow down, reconnect with nature, and of course alpacas!⁠
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If that sounds like a perfect outing for you, book your Bloomin' Welly Alpaca Trekk  today or head to VisitPEC.ca/experience-the-county/ (links in bio) to explore other special County experiences designed to help you immerse yourself in our local art, agriculture, nature, and history.⁠
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Video by OneLook Productions⁠
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #ExperienceTheCounty #NobleBeastFarms #Alpaca
🍽 Go Beyond the Menu 🍽 To visit The County 🍽 Go Beyond the Menu 🍽  To visit The County is to taste The County, and with more than a dozen Chef-driven restaurants on our little island it's hard not to find a memorable farm-to-table experience.  But if you're looking to go beyond the menu, why not check out an upcoming culinary event featuring exciting collaborations and special tasting menus paried with entertainment and education about the food and drink you're eating and where it comes from.  🎙 Join @ParsonsBrewing for one of four Concert and Dinner Series events throughout July. Enjoy a 4-course tasting menu served in the intimate setting of their harvest tables followed by live music in their Beer Hall. Featuring music by Kathleen Edwards, The Soul Motivators, Tokyo Police Club and Jeremie Albino.  🐖 Head to @QuintaDoConde for one of two celebrations highlighting great food and sustainability. Table at the Farm Harvest Supper on July 2 is centered on lamb, while Pig the Great on July 16 showcases the pigs that are born and raised on the farm.  🌿 Join @ChefChris2112 for County Flora, a special 6-course plant-based meal celebrating the early summer harvest at @TheWaringHouse.  🍷 Celebrate cool-climate chardonnay with a farm-to-table dining experience at @EddiePEC with food by @littlejohnfarm and wine by @brokenstonewinery, @clossonchasevineyards, and @rosehall_run.  👩‍🌾 Head to @EdwinCountyFarms as the table is set for an unbelievable evening with @Out_InTheField featuring guest chef Coco Gaona from @culturatiempo.  🍽 Head to @karloestates on Saturday nights throughout summer for Karlo “À La Carte,” a summer concert and dinner series where you can enjoy a delicious one-plate meal paired with a 3-flight guided wine tasting, all while listening to a rotating selection of local musicians.  For more information about these culinary events head to VisitPEC.ca/events or the link in our bio. 👆  Image description: Folks seated at the harvest tables at Parsons Brewing having just finished a delightful meal.  Image by Daniel Vaughan of @VaughanGroup  #PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #DiscoverOntario #Picton #VisitPEC #TheCounty
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