Sun-drenched slopes blossom with fruit trees and buzz with honeybees in spring. Rich bottomland that once included celery marshes remain attractive for vegetable production – especially asparagus.
Drive the country roads and see goats, beef cattle, huge poultry barns and tiny miniature horses. Stop by roadside stands and farmers' markets and take a bite out of nature.
Get in the car and drive in any direction from downtown Armstrong for a taste of real farm country. Go with the season. Blossom-fresh honey in spring, asparagus in early summer, followed by a vegetable soup of fresh pickings.
Gather apples in the fall, select the perfect pumpkin from the patch or stop by a greenhouse for tomatoes and cucumbers any time.
Armstrong Farmers' Market
From April to mid-November see it all in one place on Saturday mornings at the Armstrong Farmers' Market. Locals are pretty sure it's the oldest one in BC, running since 1973. With the motto "we make it, bake it or grow it," visitors can count on finding authentic country fare and wares - farm fresh produce, homemade preserves and artisan crafts.
Village Cheese
Armstrong was once home to a major cheese factory. While the big production has moved on, the tradition continues at the Village Cheese Company. Fresh ingredients are handcrafted using traditional recipes and some locally inspired innovations.
See the action through a viewing window in the cheese shop/eatery then nibble bite-sized samples of 10-year-old cheddar, Merlot wine cheese, Suicidally Hot Horseradish, squeaky cheese, feta, gouda … the selection is staggering and many are certified organic.
Miniature Horses
Walk in the green pastures and let the kids hug their favourite mini-horses. Chickadee Ridge Miniatures is Canada's largest breeder of these little critters. The farm is also home to a whole Noah's Ark of other creatures. Meet the pot bellied pigs and peacocks, ring tailed lemurs and wild turkeys, goats, sheep, fallow deer and more. Located minutes from downtown Armstrong.
Historic Cattle Ranch
Relive the cattle ranching history of the Spallumcheen Valley at O'Keefe Ranch, 19km/12mi west of Armstrong. Tour the historic buildings, see artisans at work and meet the heritage breed cattle and sheep.
Interior Provincial Exhibition & Stampede
Armstrong hosts the biggest fall fair in the BC Interior. Every Labour Day weekend for over 110 years, the Interior Provincial Exhibition & Stampede has been the place to see the biggest pumpkins, the best preserves, the cutest baby farm animals and the strongest horses.
These days, it's a great opportunity for city folk to connect with their food sources and for kids to meet the farm critters they see in their picture books. But it's not all about learning. Throw caution to the wind and gorge on a bag of mini-donuts and let loose a belly scream on the midway.
Visit the Armstrong Spallumcheen Visitor Centre at 3550 Bridge St where staff can provide maps and suggestions on what to see and taste.
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