More than a thousand people attended Brantwood Farms’ annual Fall Festival on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
Farmer Andrew Pate said the multi-weekend event, which has been running since September, invites visitors to take their time and enjoy everything the farm has to offer during the fall season.
“This event is when we invite everyone out to come pick their pumpkins and experience the farm, whether that’s through wagon rides or our corn mazes, this is the time to do it,” he said. “We’ve got all sorts of activities for the kids going on like our low ropes and obstacle courses, our bubble station, basketball games, and of course, our famous bouncy pillows which are definitely the highlight. We have the farm animals too, everyone’s here to see Ness the highland cow. We have lots of people taking a wagon ride out the back where we have what we call the tree fort and the magical forest, and Farmer Tom is out there selling pumpkins too.”
Beyond those activities, visitors could also try pumpkin bowling, pedal tractors, the apple slingshot and six different slides, as well as exploring the apple orchard and photo opportunities through the farm. Many also were sure to stop into the farm’s store to pick up apple cider donuts, cookies and pies, and a coffee or latte to go.
Given that it was the first time putting on the Fall Festival at the new location, Pate said he was pleased with how it was turning out and the response they’d been receiving from visitors.
“We’ve been doing the Fall Festival for about 30 years now, and this is the first year at our new location. It’s been going well and we really like it here at our new spot. Of course, there’s been a few things we’ve had to learn about this location compared to the old one, but other than that, we’re very happy with it,” he said. “I’m also just so thrilled with how many of our customers have found us out here and have come out for the event. We’ve heard nothing but good responses and everyone seems to like it. It’s nice too because it’s bigger and there’s more space, so even though there’s a ton of people here every weekend, it doesn’t feel overwhelming once you start to spread out.”
Carrie Stewart, who was attending the Fall Festival with her son and daughter, and she was impressed with the new location.
“I can’t believe how big it is, there’s a lot more space here,” she said. “It’s nice and I like this shop too. It’s a bigger space to browse and I really like the addition of the coffee shop too.”
Stewart said she and the kids were happy to be back at the fall event, noting it’s been a longstanding tradition to visit.
“We come every year and the kids always like it, I think their favourite thing is always the pillow bounce,” she said. “But my husband and I always used to come before having the kids as well. Him and his friends volunteered with the haunted hay ride back at the old location when they were younger, so it’s sort of like a tradition for us.”
With October nearly over, Pate said visitors interested in attending the Fall Festival have just a few more chances to experience the fun.
“We’ll be open next weekend on Saturday, October 24, and Sunday, October 25, as well as on Halloween, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.,” he said. “We had beautiful weather this weekend, and it looks like next weekend is going to be just as nice, so make sure to come check out the new spot.”
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
