Essex Region – The John R. Park Homestead Conservation Area is ready to welcome visitors back for some old-fashioned fall fun. As the nights grow longer and the air gets crisp, there’s no better way to celebrate the start of the autumn season than with a visit to the historic Park Family farm. The Homestead is offering a variety of autumn programs for all ages and interests.
“Autumn is such a wonderful season to experience the Homestead” says Kris Ives, Curator of the John R. Park Homestead. “The leaves are changing colour, the heritage garden and orchard are ripe for harvesting, and the hands-on fall programming really takes people back in time to experience elements of our local history.” Autumn Programs include:
Hands-On at the Homestead, on Sunday, October 3rd & Sunday, October 17th. Each day will have 1pm and 3pm corn husk crafting sessions. The cost is $5 per participant and includes all supplies and instruction. This program is designed as a drop-in program for ages 7+. Please note that parents must stay with their children during the program. For participants who enjoy corn husk crafting, kits will be available for purchase to take home and will include all materials and instructions. Pre-registration is not required for the Crafting Days.
Harvest Moon, on Thursday, October 7th from 7pm – 8pm. The event is an unforgettable evening featuring a hands-on celebration of all things fall. Participants will experience an after-dark tour of the original 1842 home and farm by candlelight. Those brave-of-heart can experience the old fashioned thrill of scary stories in the Homestead’s pitch black parlour. Less daunting delights include pressing and tasting fresh apple cider, enjoying a traditional, seasonal snack from the pioneer hearth, and the chance to experience live fiddle music and a toe-tapping barn dance. A perfect evening out for families and friends! Tickets for this experience are $15 per person, pre-registration is required, sign-up online at: https://harvestmoon2021.eventbrite.ca
John R. Park After Dark: Tragic Tales & Pioneer Perils, on Friday, October 22nd with staggered start times at 7:30pm, 8:00pm and 8:30pm, each program being an hour in length. Guests will join costumed guides and step back in time to walk in the footsteps of people from the past. These dark, but true, stories will lead you to appreciate the many hazards of daily pioneer life. This Hallowe’en inspired event is geared toward adults. Come out for a rare opportunity to see the homestead after dark! Tickets for this experience are $15.00 per person, pre-registration is required, sign up online at https://pioneerperils2021.eventbrite.ca
“Homestead staff and volunteers are excited to welcome visitors back to the site for some exciting autumn experiences with these small group programs. We assure our guests that COVID safety protocols are in-place including small group sizes, primarily outdoor activities, and ample space for physical distancing in all areas. Guests need to bring masks to cover their nose and mouth, and will be directed when they are permitted to remove them. For comfort, be sure to dress for the weather and wear shoes suitable for hiking,” Ives adds. “Private, small group tours and experiences are available anytime by advance appointment.”
For more than four decades, Essex Region Conservation has been sustaining and enriching the environment of the Windsor-Essex-Pelee Island region to ensure it is the Place for Life.
