• Work With Us
  • Industry
  • Français
  • Events
  • Blog
  • FAQs
  • Search

Visit The County

Prince Edward County

  • About
  • Explore
  • Do
  • Taste
  • Stay
  • Plan
  • Experience
  • Covid-19
  • Blog
  • FAQs
  • Homepage
  • /
  • Virtually Here: The County in February
Back to Blog

Virtually Here: The County in February

It’s The County in February. It’s freezing and a global pandemic has been altering life as we know it for 11 months – and counting. As a result, staying connected – to the people, places, and activities we love – can feel overwhelming.

Fortunately, The County party is still on this February, thanks to three local masters of the pandemic pivot. The County Museums, The Department of Illumination, and Escape Camp Picton bring you Flashback February, ICE BOX and The Arrow’s Secret puzzle box, respectively. And all this fun is available to enjoy at home!

Read on for an amazing array of County-inspired, COVID-safe activities. We’ve got inspiration for everyone from locals to locked down County lovers pining for their next in-person visit. We’ve got this – through the February freeze and beyond! 

Stay Connected with Flashback February

First up is Flashback February: The Living Room Edition! From February 15-20, 2021, The County Museums and their community partners are taking their annual exploration of The County’s heritage online.

Image of Terry Sprague presenting a lecture while standing on rocks in a natural environment.
Local naturalist Terry Sprague leads a chat about The County’s natural heritage during Flashback February. | Photo supplied by Terry Sprague.

Longing to connect with The County’s natural surroundings? Flashback February offers a chat with local naturalist Terry Sprague about the interplay between our environmental and human histories. Green thumbs can summon springtime with a session on native plants.

Want to dig in to our more mysterious side? Join a live-streamed edition of the Museums’ popular Graveyards and Gallows tour.

Photo of a woman in historical dress behind a wooden gallows. A ghostly, blurred figure in the foreground.
The livestreamed Graveyard and Gallows tour will take you to a heritage graveyard and the courthouse. | Photo by Robbie Garden

Delve into post-war Canadian connections to the Holocaust with speaker Melissa Mikel. Learn about local tools for piecing together histories of your own family and home with the Seventh Town Historical Society and the Marilyn Adams Genealogical Research Centre. The list of intriguing and informative events goes on!

Ready to go all in? Get access to all of the Flashback February events and some extra perks with the Flashback Pass.

Stay Creative with The Department of Illumination

In good times and bad, you can find The Department of Illumination bringing a steady stream of art-filled joy to Prince Edward County. A collective sigh of relief followed the announcement that ICE BOX – a midwinter burst of colour and creativity – would return this pandemic winter! 2021’s at-home / physically-distanced incarnation runs from February 20th-28th. 

Artist Mehdi Agahi, wearing a mask, organizes images of artwork by taping them on a wall. A table with more art images in the foreground.
ICE BOX collaborating artist Mehdi Agahi curates the Art in Isolation exhibit, part of ICE BOX 2021. | Photo by Krista Dalby

Rainbow Dance parties – what’s not to love?! Shake off the winter blahs with free daily 40-minute Zoom sessions with dancer Arwyn Carpenter. All ages, bodies, and levels of experience are welcome. Come one day or every day. And for bonus fun points, join the physically-distanced flash mobs on Sunday the 28th!

The Art in Isolation PEC outdoor exhibition, another ICE BOX 2021 treat, runs from February 20th-28th at Armoury Square (206 Main Street, Picton). It features 96 works of art by 66 County artists created over one month during the spring 2020 lockdown. Exhibition catalogues are available for purchase on the Department of Illumination’s website.

Photograph of a dozen individuals gathered in front of an ICE BOX hut in winter. They are wearing costumes, animal heads and carrying musical instruments and flags.
The costumed parade leaders at 2020’s ICE BOX festival. The 2021 festival aims to capture this spirit through online and distanced activities | Photo by Mile Murtanovski.

As Artistic Director Krista Dalby says, “Art has the power to lift people’s spirits”. Luckily, the Department of Illumination’s spirit-lifting work continues all year round! Follow them on social media and sign up for their e-newsletter for up-to-date info on ICE BOX and all of their programming. For instance, you can look forward to Join our HERD, a parade on the Millennium Trail in collaboration with DeRAIL Art & Architecture (Spring 2021); The Scarecrow Festival (October 9 & 10 2021); and the Firelight Lantern Festival planned for November 6, 2021.

Stay Curious with Escape Camp Picton

Groundhog Day may have come and gone, but all the days of our pandemic lives can feel a tad… repetitive. Why not switch it up for your next games or date night? Take flight – at Mach 2 speed – into the world of the Avro Arrow! Introducing Escape Camp Picton’s latest offering, The Arrow’s Secret – a limited edition solve-at-home puzzle box.

The Arrow's Secret puzzle box is a blue box with a series of dials on top and a combo lock on front hasp. Various puzzle pieces,  ciphers, images and documents displayed in foreground.
The Arrow’s Secret play-at-home game: part puzzle box, part escape room, part history lesson. | Photo supplied by Escape Camp Picton

This handcrafted game is part puzzle, part escape room, part interactive mystery, and part history lesson. Most importantly, it’s all parts fun.

The Avro Arrow was a marvel of Canadian aeronautic ingenuity. It flew its first test flights over Lake Ontario and Prince Edward County – where your puzzle journey begins – before the project was abruptly cancelled. Decipher clues, crack codes, and discover who killed the Arrow – all while bonding with your bubble! The game is best suited for adults – but kids 10+ can happily join the puzzle party with some assistance. The Arrow’s Secret can be shipped anywhere in Canada, or picked up at Escape Camp Picton’s HQ.

A group of six celebrate their escape from Escape Camp Picton's game with signs that say Mission Accomplished, New Best Time and Back to Basic Training.
Mission accomplished at Escape Camp Picton! | Photo supplied by Escape Camp Picton.

The pivots continue! The Escape Camp Picton team is busy crafting exciting new game experiences to debut this spring and summer. This summer you can play a new outdoor escape room/obstacle course at their historic site. Or take in the full Camp Picton Experience featuring a walking tour, puzzle-solving, wartime food, plus a “make your own take-home escape room” activity! And of course, when it’s safe to do so, they will reopen their popular WW2 espionage-themed in-person escape rooms.

A Virtual Visit

With all this fun at your fingertips, if you can’t visit The County in person this February, you van visit virtually! For more information, check in with The County Museums, The Department of Illumination and Escape Camp Picton.

This post is sponsored by The County Museums, The Department of Illumination and Escape Camp Picton, with support from the Regional Tourism Organization 9.

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linkedin

#PrinceEdwardCounty

visitthecounty

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

Prince Edward County ❄️🍷🍽️🍁
🍁 Maple in The County is back! 🍁 Maple seas 🍁 Maple in The County is back! 🍁

Maple season is in full swing and the celebrations in Prince Edward County will culminate in the long-awaited return of Maple in The County from March 25-26, 2023. Featuring 5 local sugarbushes and a host of local businesses, Maple in The County is a wonderful outing for the whole family. Come on out to tour a sap house, enjoy a pancake breakfast, walk through the maple woods, and so much more. Head to mapleinthecounty.ca for more information and to plan your Maple in The County route! 

Participating Sugarbushes: 

Sweetwater Cabin / Hubbs Sugarbush
Fosterholm Farms
Vader's Maple Syrup @vadersmaple 
Roblin's Maple Syrup @roblins.maple 
Loha Farms @lohafarms 

📷 by Ramesh Pooran of the Wellington Times

#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #mapleinthecounty
🌱 Spring Countylicious 🌱 Countylicious is b 🌱 Spring Countylicious 🌱

Countylicious is back for spring from April 12 - May 1, 2023! Come out to The County for three weeks of prix fixe dining at restaurants you know, love, and have been dying to try. Stay tuned as we reveal menus and gift card giveaway from all 16 participating restaurants: 

@flameandsmith 
@7numberspicton 
@bloomfieldpublichouse 
@555brewingco 
@parsonsbrewing 
@pastaonesta 
@theroyalhotelpicton 
@TheWaringHouse 
@DrakeDevonshire 
@MerrillHouse1879 
@JacksonsFallsCountryInn 
@BocadoPEC 
@MatronFineBeer 
@StellasEatery 
@HartleysTavern 
@waupoosestatesrestaurant 

Head to http://countylicious.ca/ today to start planning your Countylicious experience.

#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #Countylicious
🍁 Maple & More 🍷 Wondering what to do in Th 🍁 Maple & More 🍷

Wondering what to do in The County this March? Check out our latest blog for a round-up of everything you can see and do this month, from indulging in maple treats at local sugar bushes and eateries with @maplemadnesspec  and @mapleinthecounty, to tasting wines at the inaugural Élevage: PEC Winter Wine Festival hosted by @pecwine , and everything in between. We've also included a preview of what you can expect next month (hint: it's de-LICIOUS 😉).

Link in bio 👆

Image description: Sweetwater Cabin at Hubbs Sugar Bush, Maple in The County participant, taken by Karen Palmer. Above the image is a banner which reads "Experience Maple & More in The County this March." 

 #PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #MapleInTheCounty #MapleMadnessPEC #elevagepec #pecwine #MarchinTheCounty
🍷 Élevage: PEC Winter Wine Festival 🍷 Want 🍷 Élevage: PEC Winter Wine Festival 🍷

Want the chance to tour through 7 Prince Edward County winery venues while tasting wine and cider from 21 local producers?

Want to experience culinary delights from local chefs that showcase the winter cooking techniques integral to Canadian food culture?

Join us for Élevage hosted by @pecwine on March 11-12, 2023 and celebrate winter in wine country.

For more information and to purchase tickets, head to the link in our bio 👆
❤️ PEC is for Lovers ❤️⁠ ⁠ Valentine's ❤️ PEC is for Lovers ❤️⁠
⁠
Valentine's Day is almost here! Whether you're spending the day itself in PEC or you're joining us for a romantic weekend getaway, there's plenty happening this weekend to help make for a memorable stay with your love (or your bff, we're here for platonic love too)! ⁠
⁠
🎙️ Enjoy Dinner and a Show on Saturday night at @KarloEstates with The Bees Knees, which includes a vegan meal and wine pairings, or start your weekend with Tasty Trivia ⁠
⁠
🖼️ Head to @oenogallery for their latest exhibition, "Conversations" and then have a conversation about your experience over a wine tasting @huffestateswine. ⁠
⁠
🍽️ This weekend, enjoy early Valentine's Day meals at @adegapec, @wandertheresort, @flameandsmith, @grangewinery, @7numberspicton,  @the_blue_sail_seafood_company, and @TheWaringHouse. ⁠
⁠
🧘 Start your Valentine's Day weekend with a refresh at @bodymatrixpec with Acu-Detox+Yoga.⁠
⁠
🍫 Attend a chocolate-making workshop @shedchetwynfarms (limited spaces remain). ⁠
⁠
💃🏻 Dance your way to Valentine's day on February 11 at @thewaringhouse and on February 13 at @stellaseatery. ⁠
⁠
🍳 Go for brunch at @jacksonsfallscountryinn, @bermudapec, @parsonsbrewing, @karloestates, and many more delicious spots.⁠
⁠
🧀 Have a cheesy day with a visit to @lighthallvineyards for Raclette Sunday. ⁠
⁠
🏈 If football is your love language, spend Super Bowl Sunday in PEC at @555brewingco, @princeeddysbrewing, and @thecountycanteen.⁠
⁠
❤️ On Valentine's Day itself experience special menus at @bloomfieldpublichouse, @creekside_cafe_pec, and @theroyalhotelpicton. ⁠
⁠
📷️ Thanks to @OntarioTravel and @rto9_on⁠
Image Description: Two women, a couple, smile at each other while clinking glasses of white and red wine together at Adega in Consecon, PEC. ⁠
⁠
#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC
🍔 Burger it Forward 🍔⁠ ⁠ This month, enj 🍔 Burger it Forward 🍔⁠
⁠
This month, enjoy the signature burger at four participating restaurants in Prince Edward County and do some good. With each burger sold as part of the #BurgerItForward campaign, @lovecdnbeef will donate will donate the equivalent of 1 meal to Food Banks Canada. ⁠
⁠
🍔 At @creekside_cafe_pec in Wellington check out their Creekside Burger, a 4 oz Local Beef Patty with Caramelized Onions, Tang Sauce, Garlic Aioli, Bread & Butter Pickles, and Cheddar Cheese. ⁠
⁠
🍔 Head to @theacousticgrill to enjoy The Acoustic Jam, a an 8 oz Angus Beef Patty with Fresh Tomato, Greens, Onion, Horseradish Mayonnaise, Roasted Corn Salsa, and Caramelized Onions served on a Toasted Bakery Bun.⁠
⁠
🍔 Head to @theroyalhotelpicton for The Royal Burger, which features a Canadian Beef Patty, Cheddar Cheese, Shallot Butter, Rosemary Ketchup, and Aioli.⁠
⁠
🍔  And finally at @thewaringhouse you'll find The County Burger, an 8 oz 100% Brisket Patty topped with Canadian Cheddar, Crispy Bacon, Canadian Maple Syrup, Lettuce, Tomato, Red Onion, Pickle and Homemade Chipotle Mayo Sauce served on a Brioche Bun.⁠
⁠
⁠
#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC
☕️ Take a Coffee (or Cocoa) Break ☕️⁠
⁠
It's a chilly one this weekend! When you need some relief from the cold, why not head inside for a bit of a winter warmer at a local café! Luckily, The County has lots of options for you and your kiddos to get warm with a coffee, hot chocolate or tea: ⁠
⁠
🧸 Speaking of kids, if you have them you definitely want to head to @beaconbikebrew in Picton where their kid-friendly play area is perfect to keep them entertained while you relax with a brew. But thei café menu is ideal for big kids too! ⁠
⁠
☕️ Also in Picton you’ll find @misslilyscafe, the @thebeancountercafe, and @LusoBites, where you’ll find a whole host of delicious Portuguese delights (including pastel de nata!) alongside a large coffee menu. You can also pop into @theroyalhotelpicton for a warm drink alongside a memorable cannoli. ⁠
⁠
🫖 If tea is more your speed, don’t miss @SavonDuBois, whose apothecary is sure to provide the perfect remedy to a chilly day. ⁠
⁠
🍵 Other spots to warm up throughout The County include @BloomfieldPublicHouse and @BloomfieldBeautyCo, @GOODPlacePEC, and @PiccolinaMercato and @demorestvillecafe_convenience. (Honourable mention to @ConseconHoneyHouseCafe who are currently hibernating like the bees, but will be back again soon.)⁠
⁠
Image description: A young child plays with toys on the kid-friendly green carpet Beacon Bike+Brew. Their mother is on the floor with him, coffee in hand. ⁠
Image by OneLook⁠
⁠
#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #WinterinPEC
❄️ A Winter Bucket List for PEC ❄️⁠ ⁠ ❄️ A Winter Bucket List for PEC ❄️⁠
⁠
We're going to let you in on one of our best-kept secrets: winter in Prince Edward County. Sure, it's colder and quieter, but for us those are just added benefits that make for some unforgettable experiences. For the uninitiated that may need some convincing, so head to our blog to discover our complete bucket list for an incredible winter experience in The County.⁠
⁠
Link in bio 👆️⁠
⁠
Note: this bucket list might not be accomplished in a single weekend getaway, but maybe that calls for making a PEC winter getaway a tradition. Or better yet, book a longer stay to enjoy a whole week of winter fun in The County. Discover unique and luxurious accommodations on our website at visitthecounty.com/stay⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Visit The County

  • About
  • Explore The County
  • Do
  • Taste
  • Stay
  • Plan
  • Blog
  • Board of Directors
  • Français
  • Region

Connect



@VisitTheCounty

#PrinceEdwardCounty
Travel Media
Contact UsSubmit Your Tourism Business

Subscribe to Visit The County's Newsletters

* indicates required
                    
                    
                    
Which newsletter would you like to subscribe to?
      
            
            
      

Copyright Visit The County. All rights reserved. Web design/development by 1dea Design + Media Inc, content curated by Visit The County staff, who gratefully acknowledge the support of RTO9: South Eastern Ontario.

Copyright © 2023 · Outreach Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in