Autumn Traditions in St. Thomas

Embrace the magic of autumn in St. Thomas as we indulge in some beloved traditions! 🍂🍎 From apple picking in picturesque orchards to getting creative with pumpkin carving, we're ready to soak up the vibrant colors and festive atmosphere. Join us as we sip warm drinks and immerse ourselves in the joy of fall festivals. Let's make unforgettable memories and revel in the enchantment of this season together! ✨🎃🍁

Apple Picking

At Great Lakes Farm

​Is there anything more iconic than apples in autumn? When surrounded by beautiful farmland and an epic harvest season, it's no wonder that apples are such an important part of our Autumn Traditions!

🍎 Where can I pick local apples?

• ​Great Lakes Farms, 5111 Union Road, Port Stanley
• BONUS! Pick up some of the new hard cider line covering the full spectrum from dry to semi-sweet to sweet.
  
  

🍎 I'm in a hurry! Where can I buy local apples (without all the picking)?

• Horton Farmers’ Market, Manitoba St, Saturdays 8am to noon
• Briwood Farm Market, 1030 Talbot St, St. Thomas
• Howe's Farm Market, 11143 Highbury Ave, St. Thomas

🍏 Old Fashioned Apple Pie Recipe from Chef Michael Smith

​For the Pastry
2 ½ cup all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
2 Tbsp sugar
2 sticks (1 cup) of frozen butter
8 Tbsp ice water

For the Filling
8 apples, peeled, cored and sliced
½ cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
2 Tbsp flour

Perfect Apples for Pies
Spy, McIntosh, Spartan, Crispin, Cortland,
​Russet, Honey Crisp

Pastry

1. Whisk the flour, salt &  sugar together in a large bowl. Grate frozen butter into the flour & toss with fingers until combined. Sprinkle in water & mix with fingers until the dough forms a ball. Divide in two pieces, one slightly larger than the other. Wrap in plastic wrap, flatten and chill for min. 30 minutes. 
2. Remove pastry from fridge & allow to warm. Lightly flour hands, rolling pin, work surface & dough. Roll out larger pastry in a circle big enough to slightly overlap the edges of an 8-inch glass pie dish. Transfer dough to the dish.
3. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.

For the Filling
Toss the apples with brown sugar, cinnamon & flour. Add to bottom crust then roll out remaining small disc & carefully place over pie. Crimp edges of dough together, sealing them. Poke a few vent holes in the top and place on bottom rack of oven. Bake 1 hour, until crust is golden & juices bubbling.

Pumpkin Carving

Pumpkin Farm in Elgin County

​🎃 U-PICK PUMPKIN FARMS NEARBY

• Ferguson Produce, 11026 Wellington Road, St. Thomas
• ​Great Lakes Farm, 5111 Union Road, Port Stanley

🎃 ROASTED PUMPKIN SEEDS RECIPE

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees
• Toss seeds in a bowl with the melted butter and salt. Spread the seeds in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for about 45 minutes or until golden brown; stir occasionally.

🎃​ CLOVERMEAD PUMPKIN FESTIVAL
Saturdays starting mid-September to end-October
Celebrate the wonderful world of pumpkins this fall! Enjoy a wagon ride, bee train ride, visit farm animals, get lost in the corn maze, pick a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch, and enjoy the fall decorations and family photo spots. Take a spin on the pedal carts or bounce on the giant jumping pillow. Bee sure not to miss the Pumpkin Cannon Show and Candy Cannon Show!
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🎃 PORT STANLEY TERMINAL RAIL PUMPKIN CARVING TRAIN
Usually 2nd last weekend in October, 11am, 1pm & 2:30pm.
Come ride the train and see the beautiful fall colours. Families can pick a pumpkin from the patch!

Warm Drinks

Latte from Streamliners

​There is nothing better than pulling on a warm sweater and wrapping your fingers around a warm drink. Apple cider, pumpkin spiced lattes, or hot cocoa, whatever you prefer, now is the season to indulge!

☕ SEASONAL HOT BEVVIES
Streamliners Espresso Bar offers seasonal lattes you don't want to miss! Try the Jack O’Latte, which is their take on the traditional pumpkin spiced latte, with in-house made pumpkin syrup.
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🍎 MAKE YOUR OWN HOT APPLE CIDER

1. Get the right apples. The best cider has a balance between sweetness & tartness. Some good options include: Red Delicious (sweet); Yellow Delicious (sweet); Jonathon (tart); Granny Smith (tart); Gala (tart)
2. Blend. A ratio is 3 sweet apples to 1 tart for a sweeter mix, and 2 sweet to 1 tart for medium.
3. Clean & quarter apples. Wash apples, cut into quarters, remove stems and core. Leave the skins on for colour, flavour and nutrients!
4. Puree apple quarters. Use a blender or food processor, process until apples have consistency of apple sauce.
5. Strain the pulp. Squeeze pureed apples through cheesecloth, extracting all the yummy juice!
6. The fun part! Heat the cider with cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and orange slices in a 3-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat until mixture is hot. Garnish with cinnamon sticks, whipped cream, and enjoy!

Spooky Fun!

Hexes & Jinxes Mystical Market

🔮 ​HEXES & JINXES MYSTICAL MARKET
Sept 30 2023, Elgin County Railway Museum
A mystically wonderful outdoor eclectic artisan market for all our witchy magical friends. Over 80+ Vendors & Food Trucks!

👻 DUNGEON OF DOOM HAUNTED HOUSE
October, Dotsy's Entertainment Company
Every October, the dungeon beneath Dotsy's Costume Shop becomes....The Dungeon of Doom Haunted House! Dates shift each year, so be sure to check in.

🎃 DOWNTOWN PUMPKIN PROWL
October, last Friday before Halloween, Downtown St. Thomas
Get your costumes ready and prowl Downtown St Thomas on ​Friday October 27, 2023 from5 - 8pm for scary treats from participating businesses. Plus, enter to win prize packs!

🌽 CORN MAZES!

• Ferguson Produce, 11026 Wellington Road, St. Thomas
• Clovermead Adventure Farm, 11302 Imperial Road, Aylmer
• Umiland Corn Maze at Mistyglen Creamery, 47008 Yorke Line, Belmont

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Author

MEGAN PICKERSGILL
​From Elgin County fields to global cultures, Megan's journey led her to St. Thomas as Tourism Manager with the EDC. Here she fuels her passion for history, art, and community development—when not digging in her garden. Reach her at [email protected].