Top 10 Things to Do in Perth County Before the Summer's Over

I just read a fabulous post this morning listing the Top 10 Things to Eat & Do Before Summer Ends. The list, crafted by SG&T Contributor Tracey Paska, is dead-nuts on.

Unfortunately some of the items are region-specific, that region being Simple, Good & Tasty's home state of Minnesota. As such, I thought I'd take a stab at replicating it with a Perth County slant. Enjoy!

Top 10 Things to Eat and Do In Perth County Before Summer Ends!

1. Enjoy sun-ripened tomatoes

What does summer taste like? Freshly picked tomatoes, from farmers’ markets or straight out of your own garden, come close to capturing the essence of the season. Colorful and sweet, the flavor of these late summer fruits is worth waiting through the long winter. For a classic caprese salad, try heirloom tomatoes from Tim Creton at the Slow Food Market at Monforte Dairy (Sundays 10-2), topped with locally made Monforte sheeps milk pecorino, fresh garden basil and olive oil.

2. Eat outdoors

The next time you think about going out to eat, then really go outside and eat! Whether it’s a patio table at one of the 23 Savour Stratford-certified restaurants in Stratford and Perth County or your backyard deck, a picnic table at the local park or a picnic blanket on soft grass, there’s no dining room that can compare to sitting beneath sunny skies or twinkling stars. Need ideas for an al fresco meal? Want to purchase a meal for picnicing in the park? Try County Food Co.'s picnic items that are available especially for picnics in the park. Why not head down to the river and check out Stratford's Summer Music - on now until August 22nd.

3. Perth County sweet corn

Bodacious. Ambrosia. Triple Sweet. Asian Sticky. If you thought that sweet corn were all the same, then you’re in for a treat. It’s now peak sweet corn season and sweet corn varieties abound at farmers markets and roadside stands throughout Perth County. Grilled, steamed or boiled, with husk or without, summer sweet corn dripping with melted Stirling Dairy whey butter (available at the Stratford Farmer's Market) or Organic Meadow butter is the picture of local and seasonal food at it’s very best.

4. Seasonal ice cream and sorbet

How about some sheep or buffalo milk ice cream? It’s rich, creamy texture will win you over - available at Monforte Dairy. And if your kids are screaming for ice cream, sign them up for an ice cream and sorbet-making class at one of the Perth County Kitchens locations. Sure, you can have ice cream year-round, but doesn’t it taste so much better on a steamy summer day?

5. Local blueberries

From pies, cakes, jams and smoothies, the small blueberry proves to be a giant among summer fruits. Try a simple dessert parfait by layering blueberries, homemade granola from McCully's Hill Farm, Perth County Yogurt and a sprinkling of brown sugar. You can find plenty of blueberries from Bizjak Farms at the Slow Food Farmers Market.



6. Open-air movie nights

High humidity is like a wet blanket on daytime outdoor activities, but instead of heading to an air-conditioned multiplex, watch free movies under cooler, starry skies. The Stratford City Centre Committee presents Movies in the Square, with showings happening monthly. As part of the Savour Stratford Perth County Culinary Festival culinary week, the City Centre Committee will be screening Disney's Ratatouille in the City Hall Auditorium on September 19th at 7pm. For a crunchy showtime snack, enjoy local peanuts, chipnuts and popcorn from Picard's Peanuts, available at their nearest location in St. Jacob's.

7. Free concerts

Crickets and frogs are summer’s natural musicians, but more lovely notes can be heard at the many musical events throughout the Stratford & Perth County. Of special note is the five-week festival of music of all genres, Stratford Summer Music. On until August 22nd, this festival offers plenty of free outdoor entertainment to satisfy everyone's musical tastes.

8. See some art

If you enjoy strolling while enjoying the creative arts, then head to the Stratford Art in the Park, on Sundays and Wednesdays throughout the summer. Also be sure to check out the Perth County Visitors Association Artisan Marketplace and the Stratford Perth Museum for interesting and diverse showcase of contemporary and traditional works of art.

9. Summer brews

With or without alcohol, Stratford and Perth County brew up some of the best tasting refreshments around. Try Stratford Brewing Company's Stratford Pilsner or one of the small local fruit wines from Estate Wineries like Birtch Farms and Carolinian Winery. For a non-alcoholic treat, visit one of Stratford's many coffee shops brewing up organic, fair-trade, sustainably grown coffee like Revel, Sputnik and Balzac's. Or visit the Slow Food Market on Sundays where you can enjoy a cup of Las Chicas coffee at the Slow Food stall or buy a pound of it at the McCully's Hill Farm stall. Finally, don't miss the opportunity to visit and learn from one of Canada's few tea sommeliers, Karen Hartwick, at Stratford Tea Leaves B&B & Tea Tasting Bar. Ask for her Ontario blend.

10. Slow Food Perth County's Pork Party @ Punkeydoodles

Slow Food Perth County presents the 2nd annual
Pork Party at Punkeydoodles
Sunday, August 15th - 3pm til the cows come home
Lassdale Farms (See map below)

Bring the whole family for a grassroots supper featuring local roast pork, as well as sweet and buttery corn on the cob, juicy heirloom tomatoes, summer-ripe watermelon and foccaccia bread baked on site in outdoor bread oven.

Slow Food members will be providing homemade BBQ sauces to go with the pork.

Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate some classic summertime flavours before the kids head back to school and summer fades into fall.

Bring your instrument to take part in the live, down-home entertainment.

This party's on rain or shine - dress accordingly!

Tickets available at Anything Grows, Foster's Inn, The Green Hair Spa, McCully's Hill Farm and the Slow Food Market (Sundays).

$15.00 Slow Food members $20.00 Non-Members Kids 10 and under: Free!

Last year was Slow Food Perth County's inaugural event and it was a barn burner - 200 guests, live music, gorgeous atmosphere and of course an all-local menu! They look forward to seeing you there for one of the best family-friendly food events in the county!

Visit their events page for this and other events. Click here for directions.

Autumn may be peeking around the corner, but for a little while longer, it’s still summer; so revel in its simple pleasures now, before it's too late.