One Vision Farms, and VanKampen’s Greenhouses. The farm market also stocks art, jewellery and handcrafts- -including “my mother’s quilted table napkins,” smiles Trisha Viaene. The kitchen at the onsite barbecue restaurant--which serves cheeseburgers, ribs, poutine and so on--relies on local produce. “We grow potatoes in the field behind the Chuckwagon, so you can easily get hand-cut fries harvested that same day.” Once Island schools wrap up classes for the summer, the Chuckwagon’s yardful of games and activities--from “corn cannons” to a “ninja warrior course”--is open to guests daily. And just before classes resume, visitors can return to the Chuckwagon to find a path through the onsite corn maze, which opens from August into autumn. “That’s definitely among customers’ favourites!” Viaene says.
Belfast Tulips “D uring the summer of 2019, Vanco Farms asked if we’d be interested in planting tulips to create a picture and u-pick destination,” says Trisha Viaene. “We agreed, and officially opened Belfast Tulips in 2020.” The u-pick--located onsite at the Chuckwagon--is now finishing its second season. The atmosphere at Belfast Tulips is relaxed; guests were required to book in advance in 2020, but walk-ins are permitted for 2021. Viaene says kids and pets are welcome. “Children love to walk through, pick tulips, and get pictures taken. The tulips are great for all ages!” Belfast Tulips also continues to accept bookings at belfasttulips.ca for the “In This Together Photo Sessions” first offered in 2020. (The sessions were created with the aid of Rachel Peters Photography; this year’s sessions are being shot by Zach Hancock Photography and Story Thorburn Photography.) Guests can also visit the site with their own photographer; once admission is paid, there’s no extra fee for offsite photographers, Viaene confirms. “The field is especially popular for engagement and wedding photos.”
SUMMER 2021 www.pei-living.ca
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