Fall in Love with The County🍂
Apple season continues in PEC | Photo Credit: George Amaro
Written by: George Amaro Updated by Visit The County Staff in August 2022
Autumn in The County, how do we love thee? Let us count the ways. Fall in the County is for lovers. Lovers of everything from art to festivals to wine. Don’t believe us? Read it and love it!
Big open sky and stunning colours – try not to get distracted. | Photo Credit: George Amaro
FALL DRIVE Lovers
Fall in The County is hands down its prettiest season. The trees are ablaze in fiery shades of orange, yellow, red, brown and gold. The fields of corn, soy and grapes are lush with their bounty. The air is fresh, clean and crisp. And, autumn’s special light bathes everything in a warm golden hue, making the fall colours, landscapes and people’s moods glow from within.
Grab your camera, pack up the clan in the family vehicle and take it all in while cruising The County’s idyllic country roads. And don’t forget to pit stop at the local farm stands and wineries/breweries/cideries and restaurants for some hearty people fuel!
LESS TOURISTS Lovers
If you’d prefer to experience The County at a slower, roomier pace, fall is the perfect time. The tourists have thinned out, especially during the week, so you’ve basically got the place to yourself … well, almost ; )
FESTIVAL Lovers
Go to the fair! You don’t want to miss the annual Picton Fair, back to its original format after two years of drive-thru fairs. For something on the quainter side, be sure to check out the Ameliasburgh Fall Fair.
BYO (Build Your Own) scarecrow at Small Pond. | Photo Credit: Jenny Thompson
The Department of Illumination‘s Scarecrow Festival (October) has become one of The County’s most popular events. For $30, you get all the supplies you need to make your own fun field fiend!
Giant pumpkin weigh-in in Wellington. | Photo Credit: Jenny Thompson
Pumpkinfest (October 19) is a family-fun celebration of, yep, everything pumpkin! Wellington goes full orange on the 19th with a parade and a giant pumpkin weigh-in.
A parading we go, to the Crystal Palace! | Photo Courtesy: Firelight Lantern Festival
The very unique Firelight Lantern Festival (November 9) starts with lantern-making workshops around The County, and culminates in a glowing, night-time parade and brilliant celebration at the Crystal Palace!
FARM STAND Lovers
A PEC road-side farm stand is a thing of beauty at this time of year … and, there are so many of them! You can’t just stop at one, or two, or three … or twenty! Check out the bounty of The County on our farmstand blog here.
McIntosh picking with a little help! | Photo Courtesy: @campbellsorchard
Plus you can PYO (pick-your-own), including fall faves, pumpkins and apples at Campbell’s Orchards. While you’re there, check out their corn maze and hay wagon rides. And for the big kids, try the delicious beverages at Apple Falls Cider Co.
You’ve got to arrive early to get the amazing Humble Bread from Henry! | Photo Credit: Alexandra Amaro
MARKET Lovers
Get your fill of local markets before they close for the season. October 8 is the last Saturday for The Wellington Community Market, the Picton Town Hall Farmer’s Market wraps up October 16, and October 29 is the last Saturday for the Wellington Farmer’s Market at The Eddie. The Local Store is a wonderful one-stop-shop to explore the work of over 120 local artists and over 30 food producers. The two-storey barn finishes up its season with a Christmas Market & Sale in early November. Stay tuned for information!
QUIET BEACH Lovers
The crowds are gone. The sun is high, and the temperatures still conducive to beach relaxing with a good book, wading along the shoreline, or trekking up and down the dunes at Sandbanks Provincial Park.
Imagine the beach all to yourself… | Photo Credit: George Amaro
If you’re a water sports enthusiast, suit up and hit the waves. Water temps may be cool, but the air and wind flow on Sandbank’s Provincial Park’s West Lake is excellent for fall kite-surfing and paddle boarding.
NATURE Lovers
PEC boasts several great conservation parks. Whether they’re inland or by the water, each offers its own signature beauty. Check them out, including Little Bluff Conservation Area, with its evergreen forest and wonderful water-smoothed stone beach.
Get up close and personal with the owls of PEC! | Photo Courtesy: Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory
If you’re a fan of our feathered friends, then this is the time of year for you! The Fall Birding Festival is in full swing at the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory, with daily bird banding – including saw-whet owls starting in October – and guided workshops and walks continuing until the end of October. Stay tuned for updates about this year’s festival.
ART Lovers
From painters and glass blowers to metal forgers and fibre artists, The County is home to some great talent. Don’t miss the PEC Studio Tour Weekend.Â
Try your hand at encaustic art (creating with coloured beeswax!) | Photo Credit: Andrew Csafordi
The County is always hopping with live music at such regular haunts as the Barley Room Pub, The Acoustic Grill and The County Canteen. Check their schedules for who’s playing when.
PHOTOGRAPHY Lovers
If you’re a shutterbug, this is a fantastic time to shoot The County. Why? See all of the above!
