Vaughan’s Downey’s Farm has begun its annual Pumpkinfest event, which will run throughout the Halloween season, as well as celebrating the traditional fall harvest.
Pumpkinfest features a field full of ripe pumpkins and live entertainment aimed at families. Visitors can enjoy wagon rides, interact with farm animals and challenge themselves at the straw jump.
A major attraction is the eight-acre corn maze, one of the largest in Ontario, which offers three “corny” challenges for those trying to navigate it. There will also be farm-grown food provided, such as classic pumpkin pie. The event had a successful opening weekend, welcoming back visitors for the first time in two years after 2020’s Pumpkinfest was cancelled.
On weekends, Pumpkinfest features additional attractions aimed at families, including inflatables, a live puppet show and the mysterious “Black Hole”. There is also a special live act each weekend. These acts kicked off with performances by magician Dick Joiner on September 18 and 19, and will include acrobats and jugglers, before concluding with another magic display by Steve Baker on the final weekend.
Local farms often use the fall as an occasion to turn into entertainment centres, welcoming visitors for everything from apple picking to live music, sometimes attracting attention through roadside sign and banner printing.
The 2021 edition of Pumpkinfest launched at Downey’s Farm on September 18 and will run until October 31.
