Get lost in the fun at Ouimet Farms Adventure in Vankleek Hill

Laurie Weir

Every year, visitors head to a farm in Vankleek Hill with one goal in mind: getting lost.

Not by accident, of course.

At Ouimet Farms Adventure, families spend hours winding their way through a seven-acre corn maze, tackling a treasure hunt, enjoying outdoor activities and making memories together. What began as a small corn maze in 2013 has grown into one of Eastern Ontario’s favourite family destinations, all while staying true to the farm’s agricultural roots.

The Ouimet family has been farming the land since 1919. Today, André Ouimet represents the fifth generation to carry on that tradition.

After taking over the family farm from his parents, André sold the dairy quota in 1998 and transitioned to crop farming. Looking for new opportunities, he later opened a driving range and eventually a golf course. Then came a decision that would change the farm once again.

In 2013, the family introduced a modest corn maze.

It was an immediate hit.

That first season sparked the idea of creating larger, more elaborate mazes, transforming the farm into a destination where visitors could have fun while learning a little about agriculture along the way.

“Hosting visitors and teaching them about farming has become a passion,” said julia Fontin, André’s partner in life and in business..

Today, the maze is redesigned every year, giving returning visitors a completely new experience. This season’s theme celebrates the 150th anniversary of the invention of the telephone, highlighting how communication and technology have evolved over the years.

But the maze is far more than a walk through corn.

“It’s a treasure hunt,” Julia said. “People love the challenge.”

The farm proudly calls itself “Canada’s most A-Maze-ing corn maze,” welcoming visitors in both English and French.

Families are encouraged to pack a picnic and spend the day exploring. Most visitors stay about three hours, taking in the maze along with the many activities designed for children of all ages.

The experience continues to grow.

“We are always on site with our visitors and listen to what they say,” Julia said. “We also brainstorm all winter long on fun things we’d like to do.”

Although welcoming guests has become a major part of the business, farming remains at its heart.

“We are only a small working farm with a variety of crops,” Julia said. “We want to educate families about the farm and how crops grow.”

One of the property’s most recognizable landmarks is its towering POPSILOS mural. Created in 2017 as part of the Canada 150 POPSILOS public art project, artists Emmanuel Jarus and Zek One transformed the farm’s silos into a colourful work of public art in just three weeks.

“We absolutely loved the image as it fit with our farm and our business,” Julia said.

The farm’s history also reveals itself in unexpected ways.

You will often discover golf balls scattered throughout the corn maze, prompting plenty of questions. They’re leftovers from the property’s days as a driving range. One young visitor became so fascinated by the discovery that he began bringing a bucket and shovel every year, challenging himself to collect as many golf balls as he could.

For the Ouimet family, it’s stories like that, and watching children return year after year, that make the work worthwhile.

“Our location is family-friendly,” Julia said. “We have so many families that come every year, and we love watching the kids get taller and change.”

The experience evolves as the season progresses. Early in the summer, the tall, dense corn creates the maze’s biggest challenge. As late summer turns to fall and the first frost arrives, the corn begins to shrink, making the maze a little easier to navigate while the pumpkin patch becomes another reason for families to return.

There's plenty more to keep families entertained. You can race around the pedal go-kart track, bounce on the giant jumping pillow or climb aboard a tractor-pulled wagon ride for a tour of the farm. Combined with plenty of open space to play, picnic and explore, it's easy to spend several hours enjoying everything Ouimet Farms Adventure has to offer.

If you’re making a day trip to Vankleek Hill you can round out the adventure with stops at Beau’s Brewery, Dunrobin Distillery or Vankleek Hill Vineyard. The Ouimet family also recommends dining at One Eleven Eatery, Broken Kettle or Herb’s, browsing local shops such as Pink Bow Tie and The Magic Dwarf Shoppe, and, on Saturdays, exploring the Vankleek Hill Farmers’ Market.

The family continues to introduce new attractions each year and encourages visitors to follow on Facebook, or Instagram for the latest updates. In the spring, the farm also becomes home to the colourful Vankleek Hill Tulip Fields, giving visitors another reason to return before corn maze season begins.

Get lost in the fun at Ouimet Farms Adventure in Vankleek Hill

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