By Breanna Adams
A six acre corn maze, pirate pumpkin cannon show, pig races and friendly animals were only a few of the attractions offered at Hugli’s Blueberry Ranch’s annual Fall Family Fun Day in Pembroke Ont.
The cold wind and rain didn’t seem to discourage anyone from participating in the activities on October 18 and among those were 82 Algonquin faculty from both the Woodroffe and Ottawa Valley campuses.
“This is the first time we’ve had an event in Pembroke,” said Shawn Pentecost, the General Arts and Science Coordinator at Algonquin College in Pembroke as well as part of the Family Fun Day organizing committee. “We try to have four events every year.”
Pentecost was among the many faculty who spoke of the fun they had spending time in Pembroke, touring the college’s campus and enjoying the beautiful fall scenery at Hugli’s Blueberry Ranch.
Hugli’s is a well-known place for families to come and get spooked around the Halloween season and always offers many fun things for both kids and adults.
For only six dollars a person a bus picked up the Woodroffe campus’s faculty at 9 a.m. and transported them from Ottawa to Pembroke. The faculty from both campuses were able to meet, get to know one another and “enjoy everything at their leisure,” according to Pentecost. The bus then left Pembroke to head back to Ottawa at 4 p.m.
“I definitely loved the road trip and getting to see the fall colours,” said Carol Garceau, a client and service representative at the Registrar’s Office at Woodroffe campus. “It’s been a really fun experience to be able to have the opportunity to be out in nature and to be with friendly faces.”
Dressed almost in winter gear the faculty had nothing bad to say at all about their experience in Pembroke and really enjoyed their time spent at Hugli’s.
“Being in the maze was amazing.” said Garceau enthusiastically.
“The pumpkin cannon was definitely one of my favourites,” said Jen Monk, a professor in the school of business at the Pembroke campus. “I think it was great that we were able to come to Pembroke, in an environment that’s so inclusive.”
As well as all the activities, Hugli’s also offered a chance to shop and eat. Homemade jams made by the blueberries they harvest, pies and cookies and maple syrup are only a few of the things that those at the ranch could enjoy, it also was a great way to get out of the cold and into an environment that was warm and cozy.
“It’s important to us that all the campuses are involved,” said Pentecost. He claims that he was very happy with the turn out and that he was happy how many people seemed to have enjoyed themselves.
Garceau was very enthusiastic about her experience being in Pembroke and being at Hugli’s Blueberry Ranch.
“This place is so beautiful and amazing,” said Garceau. “Everyone is so nice and inviting. I would definitely recommend this place to everyone.”
“We think it’s wonderful having the faculty visiting,” said Judy Hugli, the manager of Hugli’s Blueberry Ranch as well as the wife of the farmer himself. “We’re really happy they chose to come and visit us today and would love to have them come back.”