Thanksgiving Graces

If the Thanksgiving long weekend is all about family, it’s also about getting outside and enjoying Vancouver’s gorgeous autumn weather. That’s why we’re thankful that this weekend serves up so many savvy holiday activities.

On Saturday, October 9, kick off the holiday with homage to that essential Thanksgiving ingredient: the cranberry. Cranberry Day at Meadows Maze in Pitt Meadows is ripe with saucy activities from a cranberry pancake breakfast to tours of the cranberry bog—everything you need to know about cranberry farming. And as a treat this year, kids can take a crack at cranberry booming. Everyone leaves with their own bag of berries to take home. And the bog’s just the beginning—kids can learn to pan for gold before exploring this year’s unique PNE centennial-inspired corn maze. To complete the day, train rides, a bee observatory, petting zoo and Corny’s Hay Pile will keep even the littlest explorers busy.
Good to Know: Kids under three are free.

Alternatively, hop on a quick ferry to an idyllic heritage orchard for Bowen Island’s Apple Fest, in Crippen Regional Park. Celebrate all things apple—taste heritage apples, press some apple cider and even dress an apple doll or decorate a caramel apple with candy. Like baking? Help the kids enter their best efforts in a pie contest, or purchase sumptuous treats for your Thanksgiving feast.

And speaking of feasts, consider a traditional Thanksgiving dinner at Fort Langley. Dinner includes turkey with the works, mashed potato, local root vegetables and pumpkin pie crowned with whipped cream…thankfully delicious.
Good to Know: Seatings are at 1 or 4 pm, October 11. Advance tickets are suggested.

And what Thanksgiving weekend would be complete without a visit to a pumpkin patch? Along with tried-and-true favourites like The Pumpkin Patch at Richmond Country Farms, we’ve also discovered some new gems. This year, we especially like Abbotsford’s Applebarn Pumpkin Farm. Much more than pumpkins, the Apple Barn offers a full range of interactive autumnal festivities. You can pick a variety of seasonal produce—from Fuji to Ambrosia apples—as well as plums, pears, corn and, of course, pumpkins. Along with their ever-popular pumpkin cannon, pony and hay rides, this year the kids’ll love Bunnytown, a new petting zoo.

And to finish up the holiday on a quirky note, check out Hell’s Gate 3rd Annual Pumpkin Drop in Hope on October 11. The most mischievous holiday-makers will enjoy dropping their best carved jack-o-lanterns off the tram. Hit the target 500 feet below to win some cool prizes and the tram ride is free.

So whether traditional or otherwise, get outside this weekend and give thanks as the kids create some traditions all their own. 

Happy Thanksgiving from the team at SavvyMom.

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