One-Tank Trip
for Oct. 7/17
(c) By Jim Fox
Big orange pumpkins
and little red acidic cranberries complement Thanksgiving Day meals and star on
their own in festivals at this time of year.
 |
| Visitors to the Bala Cranberry Festival can watch berries being harvested at an area marsh. |
Stratford Tourism has
expanded its Savour Stratford Pumpkin Trail to include 21 stops in the Festival
City and five in St. Marys.
“The flavour of
pumpkin is synonymous with autumn and for many, this is the most anticipated
trail,” said Cathy Rehberg of Stratford Tourism.
Now in its third
year, there are 26 offers presented by culinary artisans and shopkeepers on
this self-guided trail with participants selecting any six.
These range from savoury
offers of Thai pumpkin curry soup and fries in a spicy pumpkin dip to decadent
pumpkin cupcakes, creamy pumpkin fudge and pumpkin pie spice brittle made by
local artisans, Rehberg said.
 |
| Junction 56 Distillery offers its Pumpkin Spice Liqueur along the Savour Stratford Pumpkin Trail. |
There are pumpkin
scented natural soaps, decorative candles, fall posies and napkins to complete a
fall decor.
Beware of dark spaces
Pumpkinferno returns
to Discovery Harbour, the original British naval and military base in
Penetanguishene, but beware.
Visitors can
experience the phenomenon of “hauntingly magical and stirring outdoor exhibits
of hand-carved pumpkins,” set against the night-time backdrop of Discovery
Harbour (93 Jury Drive).
Be wary of new
characters lurking about in the expanded Terror Zone.
 |
| A huge dragon is one of the many creative hand-carved jack o’lanterns at Discovery Harbour. |
Not recommended for
children younger than 12, it’s called “an absolutely amazing scare zone, if you
dare to enter.”
New is the Coffin
Ride, a 3-D burial simulator, “where you lie in a coffin and go on a ride, as if
you were being buried alive,” said publicist Nathalie Canto.
Hand-carved jack
o’lanterns are plentiful, with “countless stirring exhibits and extravagant
scenes” including a western town and huge dragon.
The outdoor exhibit
spans the historic attraction and includes a maze and crafts for young
children.
It’s open Thursday
to Sunday through Oct. 29 and Oct. 30 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
 |
| One of the scary characters at Discovery Harbour’s Pumpkinferno. |
Admission is $8
with a non-perishable food item and no charge for children to age five. discoveryharbour.on.ca; (705)
549-8064
Jack O’lanterns shine
A towering pumpkin
pyramid of about 1,500 carved and illuminated jack o’lanterns is the
centrepiece of the Waterford Pumpkinfest in the community south of Brantford.
Hosted by the
Waterford Lions & Lioness, it’s a family event from Oct. 13 to 15.
 |
| A gigantic tower of carved and illuminated jack o’lanterns is a highlight of the Waterford Pumpkinfest. |
There are fireworks
on Friday, a parade on Saturday and car show and soap box derby on
Sunday with the Creepsville Spookhouse, pumpkin carving, live music and a
marketplace.
The huge gourds are
creatively displayed throughout town at decorated houses and businesses.
pumpkinfest.com;
(519) 443-4944
All about crans
For a “berry-good
time” head for Bala on the scenic shores of Lake Muskoka and the Moon River for
its Cranberry Festival, Oct. 13 to 15
A highlight is a
visit to Johnston’s Cranberry Marsh and Muskoka Lakes Winery for a “true
appreciation of our beloved cranberry,” fest organizers say.
“The best way to
experience the festival is to start at one end of town and stroll your way to
the other, taking in all of the vendors, attractions, entertainment and food
along your way,” they suggest.
Visitors can enjoy cranberry crepes and bread,
candied cranberries, cranberry and cran-maple syrup, cranapple cider and even
cranberry wine during the activity-packed festival.
There are fireworks, “continuous
entertainment,” plenty of meal options, a midway, children’s petting zoo,
farmer's market, craft show, bazaar, games and vendors.
Weekend admission is
$10, with children to age 12, free. balacranberryfestival.on.ca;
(705) 762-1564
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Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com
For more One-Tank Trips: http://1tanktrips.blogspot.ca
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