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  • Plan Your Fall 2021 Visit to Prince Edward County 🍁🍂🎃🍎🍻🚲
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Plan Your Fall 2021 Visit to Prince Edward County 🍁🍂🎃🍎🍻🚲

Prince Edward County may be known for its summers, but Fall in The County has so much to offer travelers of all kinds. Whether you want to get outdoors, reap the benefits of harvest season or simply get into the spirit of the Fall season, we’ve got something for you.

As with every trip to The County, your experience will benefit from a little bit of forward planning. While the Fall is definitely quieter, after a busy summer Prince Edward County businesses change up their hours of operation, so as always we recommend calling ahead or checking social media for the most up to date information.

Please note that public health travel advisories and orders are changing frequently during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Please consult our COVID-19 Essential Info page for the latest updates.

 

Book Your Accommodation

While there is more availability to plan a last-minute trip in the Fall, we still recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment. Explore some of The County’s rental accommodations or if you prefer to camp when it’s quieter (and free of mosquitos!) Sandbanks Provincial Park is open for camping through to the end of October. Whatever you decide, book now so you have the perfect home base for your Fall adventure. Want to visit Sandbanks for a Fall walk? Day-use Vehicle Permit pre-booking continues until the end of the season, so be sure to book up to five days in advance of your planned visit here.

Hikers in silhouette on the dunes at Sandbanks, with Fall trees on the right. A sunbeam glares over the dunes against a blue sky.

Hikers on the dunes at Sandbanks Provincial Park in Fall. Photo by Phil Norton.

Experience Arts and Culture

Craving a little culture? The County has it in droves. Take a tour of the Arts Trail, a self-guided driving tour and signature experience of professional year-round artist studios and galleries. If you love a peek behind the scenes the annual PEC Studio Tour is on from September 24 – 26 this year, which will take you into the studios of more than 40 artists in the region. Also, Ontario Culture Days Creatives in Residence Alchemy – a Hillier-based artists’ residency – will be taking guests on guided tours of their Table Settings installations and community initiative. Check out the event listing on the Culture Days website for more information and to register for this free event.

Diners gather around a table under a pergola with hundreds of objects hanging from the ceiling on string above.

Diners gather under a pergola at Table Settings. Image courtesy of Alchemy.

Fall is also a great time to immerse yourself in the storied history of The County and there’s no better way to do that than at our museums and historically significant sites. Step back in time with a visit to Macaulay Heritage Park, take in the pioneer village at Ameliasburgh Heritage Village, or go for an autumnal stroll through the beautiful Glenwood Cemetery – your options are endless!

 

RELATED: History Takes Flight: A Walking Tour of Macaulay Mountain Heritage Park & Birdhouse City

 

Savour Fall Flavours

Fall is harvest time, and there’s no better time to sample locally grown flavours at Prince Edward County’s local restaurants and farm stands. Be sure to plan a visit to a farm or two before heading home to take home a County bounty to enjoy, store or preserve. Want a farm-to-table dining experience where the distanced travelled is–quite literally–nil?  Book a harvest supper at a local farm, like this harvest tasting experience at Quinta Do Conde or the Harvest Dinner Under the Stars at Vicki’s Veggies.

It’s the thick of harvest season at local wineries, but you can still visit their tasting rooms and bottle shops. Be sure to book your wine tours in advance to avoid disappointment. While you will have to wait a while to sample this year’s grape harvest, expect to see some breweries like featuring beers using this summer’s local hop harvest. Not that into hops? Cozy up with a dark beer in front of a fire pit at one of the region’s many breweries. Parsons Brewing Company is even bringing their own take on Oktoberfest to The County on October 2nd, with specialty brews available for the occasion. If the taste of Fall you crave is more apple-forward, go on a self-guided cider tour or hit up Campbell’s Orchards for some pick-your-own fun.

 

Hit the Trail

While cycling is an activity enjoyed all year round in The County, the Fall offers the perfect conditions for experienced and recreational cyclists alike. With the roads being quieter than they are at the height of summer and the temperatures cooler, it’s the perfect time to hop on your bike and explore.

The Millennial Trail connects The County from East to West. Photo by George Amaro.

The Millennium Trail is one of the best ways to get across The County by bike. Connecting Picton, Bloomfield, Wellington, Hiller and Consecon, this 46 km, mostly flat trail can get you pretty much anywhere you want to go with just some minor diversions on County roads. Check out this helpful Google Map complete with trailhead and intersection information, and a blog with all of the insider details to help you plan your journey.

 

RELATED: How to do a Prince Edward County Wine Tour Without Driving

 

Take in the Views

Want to take in the Fall colours on your trip? Be sure to add Slake Brewing to your itinerary. With their hilltop location, sprawling outdoor space and many fire pits – not to mention their great beer – it’s one of the best places in The County to take in the view.

Another great way to take in The County’s Fall colours is to go for a drive (or a cycle!) down some quieter County roads. The “back forty” of many rural and agricultural areas are forested with maple trees and the roads are lined in Staghorn Sumac, whose leaves turns a brilliant red in early Fall, giving you stunning autumnal colours throughout the season that are a feast for the eyes when on a scenic drive. We’ve mapped out a few popular scenic routes here.

Fall colours at Glenwood Cemetery. Photo by Samantha Porter.

Prepare for the Chill

As we all know, Fall is sweater weather. But when preparing for a tour around The County we recommend that you bring more than just a sweater. While indoor dining will be possible with your Proof of Vaccination, many establishments will be keeping their patios open throughout the Fall for those who prefer to dine outside to enjoy the weather and to maximize capacity for diners and visitors to craft beverage establishments. Come prepared with extra layers and maybe even a blanket or two so you can stay comfortable outside as the weather gets cooler.

 

So what are you waiting for? Book your Fall trip today and discover the joys and gems of Fall in The County.

 

See something missing? Have ideas for our blog writers? Contact us at tourism@pecounty.on.ca

 

 

 

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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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