Headwaters Region Media Tour To Promote Pan Am Games

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Spirit Tree Cidery, Caledon
Spirit Tree Cidery, Caledon

By Sharilene Rowland

Torontonicity was invited to attend the Headwaters Region re-branding launch media tour hosted by the Hills of Headwaters Tourism Association for the communities of Erin, Caledon, Dufferin County, Mono and Shelburne on May 7 and 8, 2015. The Headwaters Region is preparing to host the equestrian events that are part of the Pan Am / Parapan Games in July 2015. Fortunately for me, it was an amazing adventure packed full of wonderful and new experiences in my own backyard so to speak. Only a little over an hour outside of Toronto, you are able to enjoy horses and beautiful countryside, fresh, local foods, leisure biking and hiking trails, a wide variety of creative art, interesting heritage and of course, festivals of all kinds throughout the year.

Best Western Plus Orangeville Inn & Suites in Orangeville, Ontario
Best Western Plus Orangeville Inn & Suites
My suite at Best Western Plus Orangeville Inn
My suite at Best Western Plus Orangeville Inn

We began our two day adventure at the Best Western Plus Orangeville Inn & Suites. We checked into our beautiful suites, with ensuite mini kitchen, lounge area with comfy seating, large, clean bathrooms, large jacuzzi, extremely soft bathrobes, and the most comfortable bedding and pillows ever.

The Inn also offers free internet, free parking, pool, gym and a complimentary breakfast offering a selection of hot and cold items served in a bright, clean, open café.

The hotel staff was courteous, friendly and efficient from check-in to check-out.

Caledon Pan Am Equestrian Park
Caledon Pan Am Equestrian Park

Next stop was the Caledon Pan Am Equestrian Park located in what is known as Canada’s largest horse community. The facility has been chosen to host the Toronto Pan/Parapan Equestrian Games.

Riding demonstration at Caledon Pan Am Equestrian Park
Riding demonstration at Caledon Pan Am Equestrian Park

To accommodate the games, the park underwent retrofit and redesign, ending up with a new main stadium building, a new indoor riding area and upgrades to the stable areas. These upgrades will allow the park to extend their competition season and provide multi-use programs during the colder months.

A fibreglass horse statute part of Caledon's parade of horses for 2015 Pan Am Games
A fibreglass horse statute part of Caledon’s parade of horses for 2015 Pan Am Games

Onsite from now until August 30, 2015 are the Parade of Horses, including artwork and biographies of the artists that worked on each statue. Along with highlighting the majesty of the horse, and showcasing the talent of local artists, the parade of horses is an opportunity for individuals or businesses to purchase a one-of-a-kind sculpture. Visit Headwaters Horse Country for more information.

An interesting fact about Airport Road, which runs up into this county: it is never closed due to bad weather or snow. The road is always cleared because it is the main road from Camp Borden to Pearson Airport.

My next stop was the Brampton Flight Centre for a 45 minute tour in the sky. The Centre was relocated to Caledon due to urbanization. The centre is one of the top flight training centres in Canada and the only airport owned and operated by a flying club, the Brampton Flying Club. The facility includes an airport, hangars, maintenance shop, fueling station, a restaurant and the Great War Flying Museum.

Graeme, our pilot
Graeme, our pilot

This airport is also home to many privately owned aircraft and hangars. They offer a variety of training programs throughout most of the year along with tours, aircraft rentals and youth camps during July and August.

Tour of Caledon area on Headwaters Region Media Tour for upcoming Pan Am Games
Tour of Caledon area on Headwaters Region Media Tour for upcoming Pan Am Games
Flight over Caledon area
Flight over Caledon area
Flight over Caledon
Flight over Caledon

My in the sky tour was breathtaking and informative. The pilot was able to share the history of the area, the towns and the land. It was also very cool to fly above the equestrian park I had just left. From the sky, you really got to see the scope of the park and the work that had gone into it.

Four seater plane we boarded on tour of Caledon Equestrian Park
Four seater plane we boarded on tour of Caledon Equestrian Park

It was a memorable flight and did I mention it was only a four seater plane and I got to be the co-pilot.

The Flight Centre will be holding their annual Light Up The Runway Walk on August 6, 2015. One hundred percent of the proceeds raised will go towards the Bethell Hospice located in Inglewood.

Heatherlea Farm Shoppe in Caledon
Heatherlea Farm Shoppe, Caledon

From the Flight Centre, we headed to Heatherlea Farms, family owned and operated by Pat and Gord McArthur, along with their son and daughter-in-law, Don and Melinda.

Beef sliders at Heatherlea Farm
Farm-raised, grass-fed beef sliders at Heatherlea Farm
Beef sliders and farm fresh tomato salad at Heatherlea Farms
Beef sliders, curd sausage and tomato salad at Heatherlea Farms
Heatherlea Farms Store
Heatherlea Farms Store

The family had prepared the most delicious lunch for us in a beautiful outdoor setting. On the menu was of course fresh homemade all beef sliders, organic tomatoes with fresh herbs, curd sausage and fresh dill pickles. Compliments of Spirit Tree Estate, we sipped on one of their award-winning ciders, Dry-Hopped Cider. It was so smooth, refreshing and went wonderful with our sliders.

Heatherlea Farms specializes in grass-fed beef, drug-free and free-range meats. Farming Black Angus Beef Naturally. Their shop carries local pure honey, preserves, sauces, seasonings, wholesome home baked goodies and of course a large selection of frozen beef and prepared meals. In partnership with local dairy farmers, you can also purchase fresh eggs and milk daily.

Spirit Tree Estate Cidery
Spirit Tree Estate Cidery
Spirit Tree Cidery, Caledon
Spirit Tree Cidery, Caledon

I was so happy to find out that our next stop was Spirit Tree Estate Cidery!! Now I could purchase the wonderful cider I just had at Heatherlea Farms and more.

Cheese on home baked breads at Spirit Tree Cidery
Cheese on home baked breads at Spirit Tree Cidery

Upon arrival, we were treated to a wine and cheese tasting in their restaurant/bar area just next to the bakery and farm store.   The cider, home baked breads and cheese were to die for.

Spirit Tree Estate Cidery, Caledon
Spirit Tree Estate Cidery, Caledon

Needless to say I ended up bringing home some of everything.

Spirit Tree Estate is a cidery, bakery, kitchen and farm store. Designed with sustainability and practicality in mind, they have the apple orchards just outside their doors, the distillery just out back, a wood burning oven in which they prepare awesome pizza and a variety of tasty bread. All bread is made with all natural ingredients and baked in the old European style wood fire ovens daily.  They strive to serve the highest quality products using traditional methods and local produce.

Spirit Tree Estate Cidery Dry Hopped Cider
Spirit Tree Estate Cidery Dry Hopped Cider
Spirit Tree Estate Cidery
Spirit Tree Estate Cidery

The Spirit Tree Estate is definitely worth checking out! You can purchase their Dry-Hopped Cider at your local LCBO or it can be found in bars and restaurants around Toronto.

For dinner, we were invited to enjoy a menu prepared especially for us by Cabin Restaurant at the Hockley Valley Resort. Read about my dinner at Hockley Valley Resort here.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of my Headwaters Region media tour where I visit more Caledon area businesses and sample more farm-fresh food from the area…