Harvest Activities for Everyone to Enjoy!
Explore the Bountiful Harvest Market
Are you able to name at least three types of squash? And yes, there’s more than one kind! Need some help in learning your squashes, browse the many local vendors offering farm fresh produce. Typical fall fruits and vegetables include apples, beets, cauliflower, figs, and of course many types of squashes. Spend some time speaking to our farm enthusiasts for tips on how to get the most from your backyard garden. Also, find out what you can still grow in your backyard at this time of year (Hint: Think Green).
We offer a mini scavenger hunt for the little ones to get to know their fruits and veggies. Small prizes offered at the information booth to those who complete the hunt!
Say Hello to Our Guests in the Petting Zoo
Baaaaa! Quack Quack! Sounds like a couple of barnyard friends are trying to get your attention. Spend some time playing with goats, sheep, miniature horses, chickens, and ducks. You may even have the chance to feed them a snack! Educational exhibits will feature how wool is collected from sheep, what exactly are miniature horses and how chickens hatch from an egg. Lots of fun and learning to be had for the little ones!
Please note: While we are a pet-friendly farm, your furry friends are asked to give some extra space to the farm animals. We request if you are unsure of how your pet may react, please spend some more time checking out our other farm activities!
Taste Fall Favourites (Pumpkin Spice Time!)
Surrounded by vibrant autumn colors and the aroma of fall spices…you’ve arrived at the food stalls of the festival! From baked goods to seasonal drinks there’s something for everyone’s taste buds. Purchase goodies such as candy apples, pumpkin spice muffins, and caramel apple cinnamon buns or enjoy the complimentary hot chocolate and coffee. Don’t have a sweet tooth? Or looking for something more? No problem! We also have food stalls featuring family favourites such as corn-on-the-cob, hot dogs and grilled kebabs. Now that you’ve refueled, head down to the hayride station to catch a trip to our growing pumpkin patch!
Vegetarian and gluten free options are also available!
Hitch a Ride on the Hayride
Looking to rest your feet for a bit? Spot the bright red tractor pulling a cart full of hay at the hayride station located near the festival entrance. Hop on for a quick trip to our growing pumpkin patch and take a guess at which pumpkin will be this year’s largest. The hayride is open to all and will run every half hour, with the last ride at 8:00pm.
Please note: Visitors are permitted to walk around the pumpkin patch for a better chance at their guesses for the largest pumpkin, however, we kindly ask all visitors to be mindful of the growing pumpkins.
Helpful Tips for a Better Visit
- Please bring cash for purchase of farm produce and for food stalls. Some farm vendors do accept debit/credit.
- The little ones and any family pets are the responsibility of the adults they arrived at the festival with. Please ensure you clean up after your pet while on the harvest premises.
- Complimentary hot chocolate and tea can be found by the entrance to the harvest festival, next to the information booth.
- To ensure you have a spot on the hayride, bookings for select times can be made at the information booth. Maximum number of people per booking is 4.
- We are open rain or shine. For rainy days we recommend dressing warmly with a pair of boots to splash in the puddles and to keep your feet mud-free!
Support Alberta Farmers!
With the upcoming provincial election in Alberta, rural farming communities are hoping to raise awareness about the struggles farmers are currently facing. Mark Olson, a rural farmer from Cremona, Alberta, describes the future he sees for upcoming generations in his opinion piece to CBC Alberta. As a parent, many of us can relate to wanting the best for our children, however, Mark states it has become increasingly difficult for multi-generational farming families to promote agriculture as a sustainable income source to their children. His message is simple and clear, rural Alberta “needs different resources and attitudes” pertaining to agriculture.
According to Mark, agriculture is an “already significant and sustainable contribution to Alberta’s prosperity”. However, the primary issue is the provincial government is not taking any measures to create a self-determined future for rural Alberta. Threats to food security include outside investments, in which foreign investors do not hesitate to spend money and resources to obtain land beneficial for their self-interest.
Alberta farmers also face hardships in attracting farm workers, as individuals worry about the limited amenities within rural communities. Mark suggests the province to establish farm support programs that are focused on minimizing risk, while increasing innovation and securing funding for local rural investment.
Please check out the entire article by Mark, and support your local farmers by writing to your community’s MLA. Help us raise awareness about the importance of Alberta agriculture for generations to come! For additional information, please come visit the Alberta Harvest Festival as it’s sure to be a great experience for the entire family to see the year’s bountiful harvest. We strongly recommend speaking to the local vendor farmers, giving them your continued support to be able to participate in harvest seasons for many years to come.
Read Mark’s article to learn more!
What's New & Exciting!
Learn about how we grow!
Corn maze in the works
Last year's pumpkin patch, hoping for the same this year!
About Us
The Harvest Alberta Festival is hosted on a family owned farm, offering visitors a welcoming interactive farm experience. Since opening our doors in 2000, we have grown to accommodate more visitors each year looking to spend a day on the farm.
Presently, we farm hay in the spring/summer and pumpkins in the fall. We have plans to purchase additional property to feature a corn maze exhibit for our summer visitors. Check back next year to know when the corn maze will be open!.
If you and your loved ones would like to share how your experience at the farm was please do not hesitate to let us know. We are always looking for ways to improve our farm experiences and appreciate knowing what was the highlight of your visit!
