Central Albertans can tour local businesses on the Red Deer County Enterprising Ag Tour (EAT).
The tour takes place July 24 at 8 a.m. for registration. Buses depart from CrossRoads Church at 8:30 a.m. Cost is $30 per person with tickets for purchase at the Red Deer County reception desk.
The theme of this year’s tour revolves around food.
There are many tour destinations in Markerville including the Creamery, Fensala Hall and the Markerville Lutheran Church, the Danish Canadian National Museum and Stephansson House. Also several local food producers will have displays set up throughout town.
In addition, the tour will visit Big Bend Bison Ranch and Hidden Valley U-pick farm.
Participants on the tour will wander through Markerville where volunteers will share the pioneer past of the community. There will be opportunities to try separating milk and to churn butter and ice cream.
Over the winter, The Creamery Museum underwent renovations, so even if participants have visited there before, they will get a guided tour of the updated facility. Costumed interpreters will also demonstrate wool carding and spinning and tradition craft making.
Participants will be offered an opportunity to sample Danish specialties at the Danish Canadian National Museum while the Stephansson House Provincial Historic Site offers a glimpse into Alberta’s Icelandic heritage and the life of Stephan G. Stephansson.
During the tour participants will also get to visit Medicine River Wildlife Centre, Dickson Store Museum, White Treasure Farm and more.
There will also be opportunities to visit local farms including Branson Gardens, Markerville Berry and Vegetable U-Pick Farm and The Farm with the Good Food, who will be offering learning sessions.
Markerville Berry and Vegetable U-Pick Farm is owned and operated by Beth and Jim Huising. They grow more than four acres of strawberries, Saskatoon berries, raspberries and vegetables.
Branson Gardens are in their second year of growing and marketing local vegetables to customers through community supported agriculture shares.
HolmeHus Antiques, located at The Farm with the Good Food is a working farm that is owned by Susan Manyluk. The farm offers free-range eggs, freezer beef, garden produce and pasture pork. The tour lunch will be held at this farm.
Officials say this tour promises to be fun for the entire family. Tickets include lunch, refreshments throughout the day and bus transport to each venue. For more information or to register call 403-350-2150.
– Fawcett
