User:Hgwiazda/Downey's Farm Market

Downey's Farm Market & Estate Winery is a family-run business operating on Heart Lake Road in Caledon, Ontario, just north of Brampton. Run by the Downey family, the business has grown from a small road-side corn stand to a large, agritourism business that incorporates a farm market, in-house bakery and a winery. Locals and tourists alike visit the farm during the summer months for fresh, local produce and pick-your-own berries (raspberries and strawberries). Downey's also produces its own asparagus, corn, and pumpkins. The farm features a play-area for children as well as a petting zoo with typical farm animals (cows, sheep, goats, donkey and chickens) and a llama.

A member of Fruit Wines of Ontario, the Downey Family began producing their own wine in 2001, featuring many of the fruits grown on the farm. Downey's Estate Winery has won several awards for its wines, especially the popular Framboise Ice wine.

Expansion
In September of 2010, Berryview Farms, owned and operated by one of the Downey sons, officially opened its apple orchard to the public and now offers pick-your-own and pre-picked apples in the fall. Berryview Farms is located directly across the road from the original Downey farmstead.

Special Events
Throughout the year, Downey's runs several special events and hosts birthday parties, school tours, and corporate events. Spring events include Easterfest and a Mother's Day Tea, and the farm has hosted the Town of Caledon's Canada Day Festival in July. In the fall, Downey's runs its annual Pumpkinfest beginning the last weekend of September and running through October until Halloween. Visitors participate in Halloween-themed activities and games, including the corn maze and scarecrow building. In December, Christmas trees and free-range turkeys are available.

In the news:
In recent years, Downey's Farm Market has been featured in several publications:

The Hills of Headwaters

Homegrown Ontario

Kids Around Canada

The expansion of Highway 410 has rerouted the highway, significantly reducing the amount of traffic passing the farm on a daily basis.