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Reserve Now, Relax Later

reservation res·er·va·tion/rezərˈvāSH(ə)n/noun: an arrangement whereby something, especially a seat or room, is booked or reserved for a particular person

All indications point to a busy summer 2022 in Prince Edward County. Even though things are returning to some sense of normal, it is still essential to pre-plan your visit.

While capacity limits are back up and most COVID-19 restrictions have been removed, reservations remain a good idea wherever possible. The County is a buzzing place, and not just because of the local bees! 

 

Phone

Call ahead

While we do our best to keep on top of opening hours, it continues to be best to check in with businesses themselvesCheck social media posts, or direct message, email or call to make sure that your destination is open and check whether a reservation is needed. 

RELATED: Insider tips for a summer County holiday

Make a dinner reservation

Don’t wait to be hungry before you find a place to eat. If you’ve booked a place to stay this summer, start locking in your dining reservations. You can try OpenTable or calling/messaging restaurants directly with your dates. Some restos take reservations only, while others first-come first-served. Even if planning for a meal of takeout or curbside pick, call ahead – many restaurants sell out early, especially on weekends. Lack of planning may result in unnecessary hangry. (Also, see our map of picnic areas, in case dining out means literally eating outside.)

A vintage car parked in front of a winery

That’s a 1969 Cadillac right there!

Book a Tour

Make a reservation for a Vintage Car Wine Tour! Join Sam Grosso for a bespoke wine tour in the vintage car of your dreams. The former owner of Toronto’s Cadillac Lounge has found a new calling and will take you on a 4-winery tour in a beautiful automobile from his fleet of vintage cars. Bring your fave playlist and rock the tunes in chauffeured style! For more tour options – including horse-drawn carriages, bicycles, luxury vehicles or taxis – click through to our blog on tours.

Or have County vintages come to you. Sommelier Jay Whiteley will arrive at your door with everything needed to take you on a private wine tasting adventure in the comfort of your holiday home. He’ll lead you through a 90-minute tasting of six of The County’s finest wines and share the stories behind the wines and the history of winemaking in The County.

Book Some Beach Time

If you’ve booked a stay here, you’ll need to plan your days because attractions, including Provincial Parks and Conservation Areas, are expected to continue to be hot spots throughout the summer. Book a day-use permit for Sandbanks or North Beach Provincial Parks. This can be done up to five days in advance of your trip, and guarantees entry. (On a hot, sunny weekend in July, August or September, don’t even consider heading to Sandbanks or North Beach without a permit in hand! The beach closes when full and every season, thousands of vehicles are turned away.) 

Please note that for the 2022 summer season, entry to the Wellington Rotary Beach will be $10 per person, 7 days a week in July and August. Entry to Little Bluff Conservation Area comes with a $15 parking fee that can be paid at the gate or through Pay by Phone. Free entry at Wellington Rotary Beach returns September 30th and parking at Little Bluff returns to standard rates after Labour Day Weekend. 

During peak summer months, beaches and outdoor spaces are especially busy and thousands of unprepared visitors are turned away every day. Do not head to the beach without a reservation (where possible) and checking these channels in advance:

  • Sandbanks and North Beach – Check SandbanksPP on Twitter
  • Wellington Rotary Beach – Check Prince Edward County on Twitter or Facebook
  • Little Bluff and other Conservation Areas – Check Quinte Conservation for closures and other information.

RELATED: 2022 Visitor Checklist

Experience The County

Get to know The County on a deeper level by spending time with farmers, foragers and artists who are keen to share their love of land and local.

The Bloomin’ Welly Alpaca Trekk shows guests what they wouldn’t normally see on a farm tour, encouraging visitors to connect with the land and the animals and see how they work together. There’ll be plenty of time to spend with the alpacas, and guests will also be encouraged to keep a keen eye for how Noble Beast Farms works to create a welcoming environment to native flora and fauna, and give back to the land.

Bees and Blooms, offered by the Curious Goat General Store, lets guests see the world through a bee’s eyes, highlighting how the hive works together and pollinates the plants that put food on our tables. Guests will taste honey collected through the season, make their own bee balm, and plant or harvest from The People’s Garden, depending on the season. Guests have the option of adding a County-proud charcuterie-forward brunch.

Equine Soul Session invites guests to slow down at Heal with Horses, a non-profit therapeutic centre. Guests will walk back to a clearing in the woods, where they’ll be introduced to tree meditation and horse activities, including delivering a massage to the horses using special grooming gloves and special techniques. This is a powerful experience, surrounded by these huge but gentle beasts! This is about horse encounters, country food and quiet walks.

PAUSE at Melt Studio Gallery. Pause starts with the Japanese tradition of shin-rin yoku or forest bathing. You’ll be led on a meditative nature walk by a local herbalist who 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. After your nature walk, you will then return to Melt studio, where you will compose a collage encaustic painting under the guidance of Susan Wallis, an experienced encaustic artist. You’ll create an original art piece using items collected during your walk. 

Courtesy @ComedyCountryFestival

See a Show and Take in Some Tunes

Entertainment is back in The County! There are shows galore planned for this year, from live music and comedy to the Festival Players’ chockablock season. Check out our event listing for a full round-up of reservable activities for your visit. 

Go for a Float

See the sights of Picton Harbour with Captain Larry or Captain Mike at Picton Harbour Pontoon Boat Tours. There are plenty of sailing and charter options available if you’re aiming to get on the water. Check out our blog on ways to go beyond the beach.

For kayaking and canoeing, make a reservation with Cabin Fever Kayaks or PEC Kayaks and refer to our blog on where to canoe, kayak or stand-up paddleboard for where to get on the water.

Ready to ride. Photo credit Diamond J Ranch

Ride a Horse

Book a trail ride with Diamond J Ranch. Enjoy a scenic mountain ride through fields and woods overlooking Picton Bay. They cater to families and groups, and inexperienced riders are welcome. Pony rides are available for the little ones. Farm tours can also be booked at Lamb’s Quarters Farm in Picton and Campbell’s Orchards on the shores of the Bay of Quinte.

Tee up a wine tour

Hoping to set up a tasting tour of County wineries or cideries? Download the new Wine Explorer app from the Prince Edward County Winegrowers Association. The app can match your personal wine preferences with bottles on offer at local wineries. It also includes detailed profiles, as well as lists of unique – and bookable! – wine activities and elevated tastings. Discover which wineries will welcome your dog. 

A group celebrates after their reservation for an escape room at Escape Camp Picton.

A successful escape in a historic air force base | Photo courtesy of Escape Camp Picton.

Escape Camp Picton

If you truly want to escape, we’ve got you covered! Escape Camp Picton, located at The County’s authentic WWII era gunnery training school, is launching an outdoor escape room in 2021, plus two indoor escapes for you and your bubble. This unique escape room takes inspiration from its location – blending heritage, history and an unforgettable game experience.

Looking for more ideas? We have lots of trip planning information here.

By Sue Hierlihy, Dead People’s Stuff Antiques. (Updated April 2022)

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Visit The County is the DMMO for #PrinceEdwardCounty, a rural community bursting with creative talent & natural stunners.

Prince Edward County 🍅🍴🌽🍷
💃 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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