All year I’ve been stopping by local produce stands and visiting farms, learning about them while filling my table with local foods. So these places weren’t new for me, but the Calvert County Farm Festival was and a driving tour through farm country sounded like a great outing.
Held rain or shine, I picked the rainy day, but we had fun anyway. With just three farms on the list, it’s easy to stop at all three in just a couple hours or spend more time at each and stretch it into a half-day activity. With food at each one, you don’t have to worry about lunch.
I was surprised to see Perigeaux on the tour. A winery, I put it in a different category, but they did a beautiful job providing live music, outdoor games, and small vendors besides wine tasting and tours. They even had an old car show. Bring the kids. The festival is family friendly, so even in the tasting room, children were welcome and there’s plenty of space outside for kids to play.
Horsmon is just a five minute drive from Perigeaux, so there’s no reason not to stop at both. Though there’s always a lot to do at Horsmon with a petting zoo, hay ride, and maze all season, they managed to add even more for this festival weekend including a tractor display and a straw maze.
Spider Hall Farm was the last farm on the list this year and another favorite. My girls love the corn maze which is big enough to be fun, yet small enough that you won’t lose your children. With the regularly offered hay rides, foods, and pumpkin patch, the festival includes extra children’s activities and a canned food drive for End Hunger. Try the apple cider slushy. It’s addictive.
My girls had fun today driving from place to place. It’s the perfect occasion to go for an afternoon drive, enjoy lunch at one of the farms, pick out your Halloween pumpkins and mums, and reward yourself with wine tasting and live music.
Organized by the Calvert County Agricultural Commission, the Calvert County Farm Festival provides another opportunity for educational and free family fun.
Perigeaux Vineyards and Winery
8650 Mackall Road
St. Leonard MD 20685
410-586-2710
Horsmon Farm
1865 Horsmon Farm Lane
St. Leonard, MD 20685
443-532-576
Spider Hall Farm
3915 Hallowing Point Road
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
410-610-0094
For more information, visit http://www.calvertag.com