a peek inside the fishbowl

28 Sep, 2012

Ottawa giveaway alert: SSscaaaarrry stuff at Saunders Farm*

Posted by andrea tomkins in: Easy ways to make kids happy|Fishbowl patrons|Giveaways and product reviews

Thanks for your entries. We have a winner!

* and fab fall fun for the wee ones!

You guys already know how much I love Saunders Farm, right? We like going there in the summer, but visiting in the month of October has been a family tradition since Sarah was a baby. There’s something for everyone, and every year there’s something new to experience.

The daytime scene at Saunders is very kid-friendly and the spook-factor is kept to a minimum. Nighttime (er, and the Barn of Terror) is where the scary stuff happens.

The 2012 Haunting Season begins THIS WEEKEND. And guess what:

  • Saunders has implemented the latest in sound, lighting and animatronics, thus upping the scare factor in the Barn of Terror and the Haunted Hayride, making it even more frightening for even the bravest of souls.
  • Saunders has also added two brand new amusements: the Zombie Paintball Shooting Gallery and something called The Last Ride, which is described as “a super spooky simulation of the “ride” from the coffin to the grave.”
  • The food is better than ever. (And I really liked it to begin with so that’s got to tell you something. And do NOT leave without picking up some kettle corn. I forbid it.)

And let’s not forget the jumping pillows, and the mazes!

maze at Saunders Farm

Anyway, yes, there’s so much to do at Saunders Farm! I’m thrilled that they’re giving me FOUR admissions to the 2012 Haunting Season to give to you, and one lucky family can win all four. The tickets cover admission for a daytime visit or a night-time visit (recommended for kids 10 and over).

  • Leave a comment below and tell me whether you’d use the tickets to visit during the day for some fall fun with your family, or whether you would prefer to scare the pants off yourself during the night-time ghoulishness. I’d love to hear about a happy Saunders memory if you care to share!
  • One entry per family please.
  • This giveaway is void in Quebec, sorry.
  • If you can’t post your comment for whatever reason you can email it to me for posting at andrea at quietfish dot com. Please note, I cannot be responsible if your entry is misdirected or gets stuck in my Spam folder!
  • This is not a requirement of this giveaway, but I do urge you to become a fan of Saunders Farm on Facebook. Check them out here. Seriously, this is a great way to keep tabs on special events and deals at Saunders, all year long.

That’s it! Entries must be in by noon on October 5 2012, at which point I’ll do a random draw of all qualifying entries. The winner will be contacted by email, so make sure you leave a valid address.

Thank you Saunders Farm! And good luck to you all!

Psst. Don’t forget to vote for my bacon!


65 Responses to "Ottawa giveaway alert: SSscaaaarrry stuff at Saunders Farm*"

1 | Jay

September 28th, 2012 at 9:31 am

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I’d love to take the family during the day (night would be too scary for us! lol). I went to Saunders Farm for my first time to participate in their super awesome Farm Fitness Class that they have over the summer and thought it was AMAZING. I’m looking forward to taking the family there this fall!

2 | Valerie

September 28th, 2012 at 9:33 am

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I would definitely have to go during the day with my two scaredy cats, LOL! Not that I’m a fan of scarey stuff, either, I admit. :)

3 | Heather R

September 28th, 2012 at 9:34 am

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I would go during the day!! My kids are still small and don’t stay up much past 7 :-) We visited for the first time this past summer and had a great time. We’d love to go back for another visit.
Thanks Andrea!

4 | Natalie

September 28th, 2012 at 9:45 am

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I would go at night with my partner as we’ve decided our daughter is too young to go. Looking forward to scaring ourselves silly. Saunders Farm is an institution in the Ottawa area. I haven’t been in years and look forward to going back :)

5 | Krista R

September 28th, 2012 at 9:51 am

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I would go during the day – my kids are all under 10. They went to camp at Saunders Farm for a week this past summer and LOVED it.

6 | Mel

September 28th, 2012 at 9:51 am

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I’ve lived in Ottawa 5 1/2 years now and have never been. We would go during the day — my 7 and 4 year old would not be up for the scary stuff. thanks for the chance!

7 | Amanda

September 28th, 2012 at 9:59 am

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I’d go during the day- mine would be too scared for the nighttime show!

8 | Connie

September 28th, 2012 at 10:01 am

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We’ve never been and have been dying to check it out! It would be a daytime excursion for us – kids are young and Mommy goes to bed early! Thanks for this opportunity!

9 | Susan

September 28th, 2012 at 10:04 am

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We went to Saunders at the end of the summer and had a blast! Would love to take the kids for the haunting season – but during the day. They’d probably love the scary nighttime stuff, but their mom is a wimp!

10 | Carly

September 28th, 2012 at 10:41 am

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We’d go during the day too. Our newly 6 year old is not big on “cary tings” (as he used to say when he was a wee boy) and our almost 1 year old is always up for being outside, all the time, more please! :)

11 | Elizabeth

September 28th, 2012 at 11:08 am

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We would go in the daytime. I went last year with just the girls, and it is a testament to how much fun Saunders Farm is that we had loads of fun even in the rain.

12 | Cath in Ottawa

September 28th, 2012 at 11:36 am

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We would definitely be day-time visitors but would love to go — we have actually never been there, and I know the kids (3 and 6) would love it! thanks for the great giveaway.

13 | Carolyn

September 28th, 2012 at 12:15 pm

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Would take the family during the day as we only have 1 brave soul for scary stuff (kids are ages 3, 6, 9, 11). We have actually never had the pleasure of visiting Saunders Farm and we are native Ottawans. It’s just never been a part of the budget for us. But with 4 passes, I’d splurge for the rest of us so we can enjoy what I’ve heard is an awesome family attraction.

14 | suze

September 28th, 2012 at 12:51 pm

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I would go during the day — I went at night years and years ago and I swear my heart stopped in that barn! there’s no way I’m bringing the kids in there… they wouldn’t sleep for months after!

15 | Brenda A

September 28th, 2012 at 12:54 pm

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Jumping pillows are the best! Our family loves Saunders and we would visit the Halloween day time portion.

16 | Heather

September 28th, 2012 at 12:57 pm

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We like to go to Saunders too!
Try to go every year although last year we didn’t make it with the birth of our twin boys.
My daughter loves to go and jump in the hay barn and watch the puppet shows.

17 | Jen Hughes

September 28th, 2012 at 1:05 pm

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Definitely daytime for us. We’re all big chickens. :) I went at night with some girlfriends a few years ago and still haven’t quite recovered from that Barn of Terror.

18 | Chantal

September 28th, 2012 at 1:35 pm

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during the day for sure. My kids are chicken! :) ya my kids…. that’s it (isn’t fun to have kids to blame for things)

19 | jason

September 28th, 2012 at 2:03 pm

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We would go during the day, our kids aren’t up for the nighttime heebee jeebies yet! Our daughter has visited before and loves the maze and giant slide

20 | Giulia

September 28th, 2012 at 2:55 pm

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I’d use them for a daytime visit. Not quite ready for the spookiness.

21 | karen

September 28th, 2012 at 3:06 pm

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My family would love to check out Sanders farm – it’s something we’ve been meaning to do. We’d go during the day – I’m a big scaredy cat!!

22 | K

September 28th, 2012 at 3:23 pm

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Awesome giveaway! I’d love to take the fam during the day.

23 | Marcie

September 28th, 2012 at 5:08 pm

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Daytime for us too! I’ve never been to see their scary spectacle, but that farm has lots and lots to offer. I LOVED the mazes when I went last – it seems something both kids and adults can enjoy.

24 | Ann

September 28th, 2012 at 5:10 pm

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We would go at night! My 10 yr old has decided that she likes to be scared now. Last year we went during the day and when we went through the haunted house, she stayed outside with a staff member!!! LOL She’s’ growing up!

25 | Leslie

September 28th, 2012 at 5:11 pm

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I’d LOVE these tickets… for the day :) We have never been to Saunders but have heard such great things (especially from your blog!)….. pick me, pick me!

26 | Lara C W

September 28th, 2012 at 5:18 pm

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We would use the tickets during the day – with a 5 & 7 yr old I think thats the best choice if I don’t want to ve up all night consoling kids with nightmares lol – i’ve never been to Saunders Farm during the day and I’m sure the kids would love the giant bouncy pillows :)

27 | Tara Azulay

September 28th, 2012 at 6:55 pm

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We’ve been back in Ottawa (Carp) for 2.5 years now and HAVE NEVER BEEN TO SAUNDERS FARM. The shame! To get the full experience, I think we would use the tickets to go at night. My daughters love having the guts scared out of themselves. Mom & Dad kind of like it too :)

28 | Danielle

September 28th, 2012 at 6:56 pm

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We would use the tickets during the day for our family of three… none of us have ever been to Saunders Farm, though I have often heard that the mazes will remind me of those back home in Manitoba!

29 | Shannon

September 28th, 2012 at 8:06 pm

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We haven’t been there in years but would absolutely love to spend a lazy Fall Sunday enjoying fun family time at Saunders farm. Great gift shop there too! :-)

30 | Shakira Whitton

September 28th, 2012 at 11:51 pm

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Saunders Farm is a favorite destination for our family too. We love going in October! The kids all dress up in their Halloween costumes to experience all the spooky fun! We have never been at night as our twins just turned 8 this summer, and we’d probably use the tickets for another daytime visit this year. Not sure we’re ready for the evening yet.

Happy Saunders memory – there are lots but one that stands out — last fall, my son dressed up in his Harry Potter costume. When we walked through the farm, everyone was looking at his, pointing, and smiling. “Look there’s Harry Potter!”.
He was so proud and the smile on his face was precious.

31 | Sylvia

September 29th, 2012 at 5:47 am

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We would love to take some of our overseas relatives who have never experienced Halloween to Saunders farm during the day. I think they would absolutely love the experience. Thanks for the opportunity!

32 | Jesse

September 29th, 2012 at 6:16 am

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During the day – I’m a scardy cat too!

33 | Karin

September 29th, 2012 at 7:06 am

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I’ve not been yet,every time I want to go something came up but the kids love to go. First time my son went with his then girlfriend,my daughter and a few others he was actuallyf so startled at one point that he pushed his girlfriend in front towards the scary costumed person and yelled “like a girl”.He married that girlfriend and they have 21/2 babies but to this day and especially every Halloween the family still teases him every chance they get, his Sister is merciless. ;)

34 | Holly

September 29th, 2012 at 7:44 am

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My partner always goes to upstate NY for a Scrabble tournament/getaway with friends during Haunting Season so it has been a tradition for a few years now for another mom & I to take all the kids to Saunders Farm. We started with two kids; now we’re up to five. I can’t wait to take the kids’ pictures with the “how tall are you” pumpkin sign – a favourite photo tradition of ours. Our crew is all five and under so we go in the daytime.

35 | Nadia

September 29th, 2012 at 8:46 am

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Day time for us too. – Kids r too young. I gotta admit – the kids will find me on the giant pillow where I’ll be w/ the toddler pretending to help her jump! (hopefully thats still open in the fall).

36 | Tuesday D

September 29th, 2012 at 10:44 am

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I have never been to Saunders Farm and it is not for lack or trying! I would love the chance for my partner and I to take his nephew in the evening for a few good frights (which are surely going to be at my expense). :)

37 | shannon

September 29th, 2012 at 11:36 am

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I would love to go back….we go every fall. Definitely during the day with my 2 little guys, aged 3 and 5.

38 | Katie

September 30th, 2012 at 7:15 am

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Hi,
Your love of the Saunder’s Farm is ongoing and persuasive. We live west of Ottawa and use the city for shopping and entertainment. Thanks to you, a visit to the Saunders Farm is on our hit list… Haven’t made it yet. A family pass would certainly help entertain my 3 under 10 crowd for a day this month! Thanks.

39 | Carla

September 30th, 2012 at 9:34 am

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I’d love to take my 3 kids for a daytime outing. The 6 and 4 year olds would get a kick t the fun activities and the toddler would enjoy all the walking and things to look at! We went once when we only had 2 kids and had a great time. I remember how the younger one, 2 at the time, loved loved going down the tall slide but the 4 year old could bring herself to go down even once. It was a lesson for me as a parent that age does not get in the way of personality.

40 | Natalie O'Connor

September 30th, 2012 at 8:18 pm

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We would love to visit, I have not taken my children to Saunders farm but I did visit a way back when I lived in Ottawa and the mazes had just begun to grow!! I have been wanting to visit for quite sometime and my children will be 10 (soon to be on Oct 10th) and 13! Maybe this will be the year!! I hear it’s amazing!!!

41 | Meghan

October 1st, 2012 at 9:11 am

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For sure at night – I love freaking out the whole family in the haunted house!

42 | binki

October 1st, 2012 at 12:52 pm

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We would go during the day. Too scary at night (for kids and parents). Looking forward to finally visiting this place. Heard great things.

43 | Jo

October 1st, 2012 at 12:55 pm

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Daytime! I’m a scaredy cat, although I’d blame it on the kids.

44 | Tiana

October 1st, 2012 at 2:51 pm

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With two kids under 5, a daytime visit it would be! (Also I’m a huge wimp)

45 | Chris

October 1st, 2012 at 2:58 pm

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We would go during the daytime. It would be our first visit to the farm and would be a great introduction to all they have to offer. My kids are always drawing mazes so they would certainly enjoy the chance to walk through a real maze.

46 | Melissa

October 1st, 2012 at 3:51 pm

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We love Halloween and always have the greatest time at Saunders Farm at night. Scaring ourselves silly in the haunted house is one of our favourite October events!!!

47 | Elizabeth

October 1st, 2012 at 5:07 pm

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So, when I was a kid, my older brothers used to tell me that gargoyles lived under my bed. As if that wasn’t bad enough, they told me that when I step out of bed in the morning, the gargoyles would grab my ankles and drag me under to feed me to their young. Naturally, being a gullible young girl who idolized her worldly and all-knowing brothers, I took the precaution of standing on my bed and jumping as far out as I could. EVERY MORNING. FOR YEARS.
Now I have kids of my own, and since it’s frowned upon to add to the already long list of things they will blame me for when they are adult, I look to Saunders Farms to SCARE THE PANTS OFF THEM!
We’d love these tickets!

48 | Cynthia

October 1st, 2012 at 6:38 pm

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We have never been to Halloween at Saunders Farm. We would love to have a chance to enjoy this attraction in the evening when it would be a little more spooky. We have heard lots of great things about it!

49 | Tobi

October 1st, 2012 at 7:15 pm

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I’ve been in Ottawa 7 years now and have never been! I’d take my 2 and a bit year old during the day. I like the sound of your tradition!

50 | Anu

October 1st, 2012 at 9:09 pm

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I would go during the day. I have also never been but have thought about going on many times, this would be a good motivator to finally do so. Would make for a fun family outing.

51 | Rae

October 2nd, 2012 at 12:56 pm

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I live very close to Saunders Farm, but haven’t been since the Strawberry Moon festival years ago – eep! My best friend and her family visit all the time – I’d love to visit the mazes during the day with them sometime! I think scaring the pants off myself at night during haunting season would be my first choice, though, seeing as I’ve never experienced it. Love me a good scare! Thanks so much for the chance.

52 | Reno post #42 - nearing the end. of. my rope. >> a peek inside the fishbowl

October 2nd, 2012 at 1:59 pm

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[…] Psst. There’s still time to vote for my bacon and enter the Saunders Farm giveaway! […]

53 | Leslie

October 2nd, 2012 at 8:00 pm

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Daytime for sure! I like to see all of the detail and effort that goes into the scary scenes but I don’t like to be scared :)

My favourite Saunders Farm memory is trying the jumping pillows for the first time. My son, husband and I had soooo much fun and laughed until we wanted to pee our pants but what was super special was having my sister, brother-in-law and 7 year old nephew with autism join us. To see him laugh with us made my heart sing!

54 | Lorrie Douthwright

October 2nd, 2012 at 9:08 pm

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I’m hoping to get there twice this year. Once during the day with my monkeys and then with some friends a night. We recently went to a wedding there and they did a fabulous job. Unfortunately it rained so we didn’t get to enjoy as much of the grounds as we would have wished.

55 | Nora

October 2nd, 2012 at 9:42 pm

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We love Saunders but haven’t been in a few years! We’d go during the day and I’m sure the girls will love seeing the Pumpkin Princess again.

56 | wendy

October 3rd, 2012 at 12:22 am

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Took my Grandaughter a few years back and she was terrified of the guy with the chainsaw! :-)
She’s 9 now, so I would love to see how she would react!

Thanks Andrea and Saunders Farm!

57 | Tania Arand

October 3rd, 2012 at 7:57 am

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Even though we have lived here 3years we still have not visited the famous Saunders Farm. I would love to take my boys for the day they love anything Halloween related! Thanks for the chance of winning tickets!

58 | Ange

October 3rd, 2012 at 11:41 am

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I would love to take my son during the day, as we want to go visit the wonderful mazes – haven’t been before!! It has been on our to do list for years, but would love to actually get there this year :)

59 | Curtis

October 3rd, 2012 at 12:36 pm

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I’d like to win passes to Saunders farm so that my girlfriend and I could take my parents, the two biggest kids I know!
I’d love to show them a spooky good time one evening before Hallow’s Eve!

60 | Redheadedmama

October 4th, 2012 at 9:13 am

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We’d love to go during the day. Last year a friend and I accudentally took our little ones in the haunted hayride instead of the pumpkin patch hayride – there were some tears and ear covering. I don’t think our husbands will ever let us live that one down, but we’d like to try again!

61 | Lisa Martin

October 4th, 2012 at 9:28 am

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My husband, mother-in-law and I took my daughter two years ago and we still talk about that special day. My daughter absolutely loved wandering the pumpking field and selecting her own pumpkin! I will treaure the pictures we took for a lifetime!

She also ate her first poutine-yum!! Our only regret is that grand papa was working and didn’t come!! There is nothing like crunching through fresh leaves on a crisp cool day taking in all the farm has to offer, it is truly a memorable experience for all.

We would definitely love to return for a day trip, our four year old loves halloween-decorations, events and all things related (that is definitely inherited from me)best of luck to everyone, and even if you don’t win, I hope you make your way to the farm anyway (although, it is a bit pricey)

62 | Ingrid

October 4th, 2012 at 11:33 am

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I’m all for scaring the pants off of us at night! It sounds like so much fun, I would love to win these for the family.

63 | Sean

October 4th, 2012 at 11:57 am

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We have made this a thanksgiving tradition. It is very expensive for the four of us, but we love it!

64 | Jodie

October 4th, 2012 at 11:58 am

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My 2 boys love Saunders, we go during the day!

65 | andrea

October 9th, 2012 at 7:33 am

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We have a winner! It’s commenter #28 – Danielle – who wrote:

“We would use the tickets during the day for our family of three… none of us have ever been to Saunders Farm, though I have often heard that the mazes will remind me of those back home in Manitoba!”

Congratulations Danielle! Maybe you can use that fourth ticket to bring a friend too? Have a great time!

Big thanks as well to Saunders Farm for sponsoring this giveaway!

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