It is October, and therefore the start of spooky season. There is no better way to transition from the hot sun of summer to the cold chill of fall than with pumpkins. And one of my favourite farms to visit for pumpkins is Taves. Every year they transform their garden lot into a mesmerizing pumpkin mural, and this year it is literally magical.
They use a variety of different pumpkin colours, sizes, and appearances to craft what is best seen from an aerial view. This year’s theme is a magical garden that includes two wizard gnomes as your hosts. They even have drink options, named after the two characters.
The garden does have his own admission fee and with this exclusivity comes the ability to capture some amazing photos. There are various photo ops set around the field. Of which includes a tree of pumpkins, a wooden bridge to cross a sea of pumpkins, a stationary bicycle that you can climb on, a gazebo surrounded by pumpkins, a swinging nesting chair, a garden chair that resembles butterfly wings, and our two wizard mascots: Merlin and Marisol.
I definitely recommended this experience for those looking for the perfect fall-time photo shoot backdrop.
The rest of their farm attractions are open as normal which includes access to the jumping pads, petting zoos, cidery, and farmer’s market.
They also have a lot of food options on site for those looking to make a day of it. You can choose from local food trucks or visit the concession stand for some fast eats.
They have the classic hotdogs in bun as a combo, where you can dress each how you like it with packets of ketchup, mustard, and relish. We both noted the quality of the sausage used and how fluffy and enjoyable the bread was. These were definitely a step up from your ballpark frank.
You have your choice of either crispy kettle chips or a cup of mushy mac and cheese as your side. We had two hotdogs, so ordered one of each. Chips for its crunch and saltiness.
Whereas the mac and cheese helped to change the taste. More like thick porridge than cheesy sauce over cooked noodles. It almost seem to melt in your mouth. I still ate and still enjoyed them, but definitely would not order this as is. In fact, we actually used them as a topping for one of the hotdogs to make it a cheesy dog.
Looking for something more substantial, they also have a beef brisket sandwich worth considering. Sweet, hickory flavoured, barbecued pulled pork and crispy and creamy coleslaw together between a soft potato bun. Not quite the size of a burger, so you may need to considering having two for a full meal. This too came with either of the sides above.
We preferred the tacos in a bag as a side. A whole mini bag of classic Doritos, sliced open on the side and topped with melted nacho cheese and a mixture of ground beef and onion. This is exactly as it reads: tasty and something you lick your fingers clean of.
If looking for something sweet they have Apple pie spiced mini donuts. Already known for their ciders, this is a different way you can enjoy their orchard grown apples. Best warm and crispy out of the fryer.
The drink options that cannot be missed are named after our magical gnomes, Merlin and Marisol. These are apple cider slushies given a purple hue from butterfly pea flower. Served with a rainbow spiral of candy surrounding the straw, helping to keep its cardboard harder for longer. It also serves as a lollipop that you can enjoy after the drink is done. Much like the glass you can keep as a collector’s item. The difference between the two is Magical Merlin includes a scoop of ice cream making his namesake drink a thicker, creamer, and sweeter beverage, much like a dessert in a glass. Whereas Mystical Marisol is a full Apple cider slushy with whipped cream, this is more refreshing.
Taves farm is always a good time, but fall is really where they thrive. With baby goats, fresh grilled corn, and the magic of pumpkins.
They also have one of the largest selections of pumpkins for purchase including Cinderella pumpkins in pastel greens and pinks. We picked up a couple of non-traditional pumpkins, including a yellow one and one that looked like a tooth with an orange cap.
Taves Farms
333 Gladwin Rd, Abbotsford, BC V2S 8A7, Canada
+1 604-853-3108
tavesfamilyfarms.com