Horse rides, wine tasting, free hot dogs. The 2023 Key Peninsula Farm tour is back
Going on 18 years, the Key Peninsula Farm Tour is a celebration during the first weekend of October of the hardworking community dedicated to local agribusinesses.
From livestock to a vineyard and coffee roaster, produce and flowers, fish hatcheries, equine training, and even a Christmas tree farm – the diversity of farming practices is unique to our landscape by the Salish Sea. And it’s well worth marking the calendar for the whole family.
The Farm Tour is a fantastic yearly education opportunity to see farmers’ hard work first-hand, while also enjoying fun activities onsite.
The Key Peninsula Farm Tour will take place the weekend of October 7-8. Event details can be found on their website, kpfarmtour.com, or facebook.com/KPFarmTour.
The Farm Tour was established in 2006 by Trillium Creek Winery when they participated in the Pierce County and Washington State University HarvestFEST. After the first year, local farmers took the helm by setting up a sub-committee of the Key Peninsula Community Council.
The Key Peninsula Farm Council’s mission is to bring awareness and education about Key Peninsula farms to the community. The annual Farm Tour is the Council’s main event, but Council President Leona Lisa says they hope to have quarterly events in the future, including farm-to-table events and spring farm tours. While it’s a free family event, the Council’s work – including the Farm Tour – is supported through grants and various philanthropic organizations.
Lisa emphasizes that there is something for kids, teens, and adults alike on the Farm Tour. The hardest part is planning the weekend itinerary. She recommends planning around farms or happenings that are one-day events, like the Fiber Arts Show.
Key Peninsula Farm Tour map
On Saturday, Oct. 7, more than two dozen artists will demonstrate, exhibit, and sell their work at the Longbranch Improvement Club’s Fiber Arts Show, demonstrating traditional techniques and modern adaptations for working with a myriad of fibers. Displays include everything from clothing to jewelry, hand tooled leather craft, baskets, rugs, and more. Vintage cars will also be on display outside. Entry is free and the show runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Red Barn Youth Center, Soundview Camp, Key Center Fire Station, and Minter Creek Fish Hatchery will also open their doors on Saturday only.
For those interested in history, the Rhythm and Blues, Brats and Brews will also only be happening on Saturday in conjunction with the Farm Tour. Event goers can explore the Key Peninsula Historical Society Museum from 1-4 p.m. and grab a free hot dog and beverage. This is followed by dinner and music by The Whirlies at the Key Peninsula Civic Center (doors open at 5:30 p.m., tickets start at $20).
Sunday, Oct. 8 brings the Apple Cider Squeeze at Gateway Park. Event goers can purchase fresh squeezed apple cider, gourmet apple fritters, and apple cider floats while enjoying activities and live music. Entry is free, but all cider proceeds benefit the Farm Council’s work – or, as they joke, keep their events “A-Float.”
Of course, farm highlights will vary by individuals’ interests. Each farm will open their doors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. over the weekend and these hours are filled with demonstrations, tours, and a sample of how their farms and venues operate.
Perennial Farm Tour favorite Grand Farms, a premier equine and training facility, will have hand-led horse rides, riding demonstrations, and a preview walk through of their popular Haunted Forest.
“While the evening experience is definitely scary, the day tour is a more family friendly taste of the action,” Lisa says.
One of the original, founding stops on the first Key Peninsula Farm Tour, Two Fox Winery (formerly known as Trillium Winery) will be open for visitors to enjoy wine tasting and live music. Their 15-acres of vineyards in Home also include a coffee roastery where coffee is freshly roasted in small batches.
Kaukiki Farm in Longbranch is a favorite on the tour and will be sharing their organic farm and cattle practices on over 200 acres in Longbranch. Kaukiki is a unique example of agricultural land preserved in perpetuity by Pierce County Conservation Futures.
New to the tour this year is Longbranch Christmas Tree Farm and Farm Council President Leona Lisa’s own farm, Bill Family Farm. Longbranch Christmas Tree Farm is a 7-acre farm that has several varieties of trees, sold seasonally for the holidays.
Bill Family Farm is a small family farm with corgis, sheep, Nigerian dwarf milk goats, chickens, and a pumpkin patch. The farm also raises pork and beef occasionally as well.
“There’s always something to learn, try, do, or grow,” Lisa says.
They will open their gates Saturday only from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and also have the first ever Key Peninsula Farm Tour corgi races and events.
Farming has been an integral part of the Key Peninsula since oyster harvesting began during the mid-1800s. Our area has a unique landscape – from estuary to forest – that allows many different farming opportunities. The dedication that Key Peninsula farmers continue to put into their work and how they conduct the work is a huge asset to our community.
Carly Vester has been writing an environmental column for The Peninsula Gateway since 2019. Her storytelling focuses on the intersection of people and the outdoors — from adventures across the west, to our environment and the rich history surrounding it. Her documentary films have screened internationally and her writing has been published locally and regionally.