Out & About #1105 | Cherry Avenue Farms, Parkway Orchards + Square One Asian Night Market

7/20/2025

Had I not been still recovering from a swollen foot, I may have dragged my birthday buddy hiking once more. In keeping with seasonal activities though, I opted for the tamer alternative of fruit picking.

Consistent with my naturally ambitious nature, the trip would involve more than one stop, as to take advantage of the kilometres already travelled.

The first stop was Cherry Avenue Farms in Vineland. Previously bookmarked as an outing candidate with my browsing partner, the event was ultimately unrealized due to scheduling conflicts and the passing of cherry picking season.
Despite not being particularly pleased, my birthday buddy was open to the idea of departing in the early morning - which is already more agreeable than the likes of my previous picking counterpart.

We departed around 8:30 AM, with traffic being incredibly forgiving on a Sunday morning. Around 9:20 AM, we pulled into the muddy, gravel lot. It was unbelievable that the lot was already nearing capacity at the early hour, with a line forming for entry. The act of parking became a competition, including the tailing and waiting associated with Costco.
Cherry Avenue Farms had just opened at 8 AM, so the volumes was honestly quite ridiculous.

Visitor demographic was not unsimilar to the likes of Costco (Heartland specifically) either. From the hoards of Southeast Asian families to uncaring North American parents that allowed their children to tug at tree branches and snap off leaves without reprimanding them, my birthday buddy and I knew we were in for some fun times.

Admission was $12 per person and included a small basket for picking. Payment was taken at the entry booth, in formats of either cash or debit.

We were then roughly directed inside the farm and towards a young man who provided an overview of the rules. All visitors were allowed to pick up to the handle of the basket, but no further.

The front part of the farm housed sweet cherries, while another section both sweet and sour cherries. Given that the objective was both varieties, the young man directed towards a small, white tent. The general area assumed a pickup spot for tractor rides towards the section of the farm housing both species.

Although I should have readied myself since the horrific fumes and dust clouds of Downey's, I had committed the blunder of bringing neither sunglasses nor a face mask for the adventure. The tractor would traverse along a portion of Cherry Avenue before turning into a secondary field. Exposure to the elements and exhaust of passing vehicles was none too pleasant.

Upon reaching the access path of the second field though, the tractor ride became more enjoyable. Overhanging branches of nearby cherry trees provided shade as well as a scenic view of the orchards.

The group disembarked at a station similar to the one from which we came: a small, white tent with a picnic table underneath.

As the impossibly rowdy, uncultured masses headed in the direction of the sour cherry fields, my Birthday Buddy and I decided in the opposite direction for peace of mind. The sweet cherry trees were evidently damp from the previous night's downpour, its leaves cloaked in dew. Interestingly, the ground underneath our feet was not extremely sodden.

Venturing between the rows of cherry trees was rather pleasant. With stout bases and branches that extended to just above our heads, we easily found shade and bunches of the fruit within reach. Unfortunately, many of the cherries had already started rotting. More often than not, their exteriors bore a darkened appearance with questionable yellow bumps. In trekking between the trees, a sour odour was perceived: fermentation of end-of-season cherries had begun.

Feeling dismay, we sauntered over towards the sour cherry section instead. The reaction was intensified disappointment, as the supposedly perky rounds were discovered watery, bland, bitter, and, most unacceptable of all, mushy. We conclusively agreed that grocery store renditions were superior in both price and quality.

Neither of our baskets saw much progress.

That said, the hefty admission fee was not to be wasted.

Boarding the tractor back to the first field, we succeeded in finding somewhat acceptable specimens.

The ruby-toned bulbs were already soft to the touch, thus mandating immediate handling upon our return.

Before heading towards the second destination of the day, I deemed a detour for indoor plumbing to be vital. Cherry Avenue Farms did not offer proper washroom facilities, and Google Reviews seemed to agree that the port-a-potties on site were positively revolting.

I led us to the nearest Timmies, which happened to be situated in a relatively new plaza off North Service Road. The parcel was shared by Circle K and Esso, featuring fresh concrete and asphalt respectively.

The configuration of the Tim Hortons lot was extremely poor. Parking spaces had been placed to the immediate left and right of the Drive Thru lanes, making it difficult to decelerate and complete the maneuver without vehicles rushing to enter/exit the Drive Thru.

While the new-ish Timmies featured an impressive selection of merchandise and even a Tims Financial ATM, the washroom lineup was slow and tragic.

I dashed towards Circle K without a second thought. Awaiting us was a bright, inviting interior fueled with air conditioning and brimming with a formidable selection of quick sustenance. Most importantly, restrooms were clearly identified and did not impose a treacherous wait. There were a total of two accessible stalls; it was generally clean, but not user-friendly in their atypically low placement of the toilet paper dispenser and angled Push to Lock button. Regardless, the sight of a newly renovated gas station outlet was a pleasant one.

Besides a separate, temperature-controlled beer room, this location also boasted an incredibly impressive selection of snacks (including even Pocky and Turtle Chips!), hot dog station, ready-to-eat salad and fruit section, handwashing area, and three types of drink dispensers. Extremely organized was the Polar Pop soft drink station; hot chocolate and coffee machines (with freshly ground beans!!) were also available for customer use. The availability of flavour syrups for DIY $1 coffee and branded products from DAVIDsTEA and Oreo further had us in awe.

While I hovered about the $6/$7 Meal Deal area, my birthday buddy swiped a family-sized tub of couscous from the cold food bar for $9.99. Eventually, I decided on BBQ Pork Sandwich Meal Deal with an XL Polar Pop (a mix of Brisk Lemonade, Iced Tea, Ginger Ale, Mountain Dew, etc.) and small bag of Lays Ketchup Chips. A plethora of Heinz sauce packets were readily available at the hot dog station, so we didn't hesitate to grab the few that piqued our curiosity.

Instead of consuming our spread in the car and inhaling nearby cigarette and cannabis fumes, I suggested stopping at a nearby park. We ended up at Charles Daley Park, though resolved to keep the windows up and A/C on in fear of heat, humidity, and, of course, bugs.

Generally speaking, my birthday buddy was pleased with her pick. My own seven-dollar Meal Deal was an unthinkably budget-friendly find, yet not one that particularly delivered in the taste department. The bun was only somewhat warm, the BBQ pork a sad, sauce-slathered patty devoid of texture, and the chosen Honey Mustard condiment awfully tacky and synthetic.

I declared it a poor pick on my part, but stood firm that Circle K's rebranding operation was an amazing decision. With clean bathrooms and plenty of food choices at reasonable prices, I no longer saw a need to always settle for Timmies at my next gas top-up.

Following the quick lunch, we continued on our way towards Parkway Orchards in NOTL. Ever since last year's amazing haul of giant peaches, I had been eager to return.

Reviews surrounding the establishment continue to lean negative, however I mind not, for it simply means an easier trip on my part. Admission was priced at $5 per person, while peaches and plums at $4 per lb. The format instilled freedom in that one was not confined to a given picking volume, and could pick as little or as much as desired. Although the vast majority of North Americans seem to have issues about the farm's pricing and restricting fruit intake on site, I view the system as a win-win format, for it prevents wastage of excess fruit on both sides.
Cherry Avenue, for example, would prompt visitors to pick simply since they committed to payment, whereas Parkway Orchards strived to preserve the fruits - in the most literal sense - of labour and harvest.

We each took to a basket for picking, though, in hindsight, really ought to have requested one large basket to fill to our heart's desire. After all, the bill would be determined based on weight anyway.

In stark contrast to last year's visit, there were rows upon rows of peach trees available for picking. The middle-aged man who had kept a watchful eye on his customers was also absent. We adhered to the section closest to the entrance for picking needs, but it was noticed that an elderly Chinese woman in a golf cart could whisk fellow Mandarin speakers to the far ends of the farm upon request.

This year's peaches were notably smaller and less fuzzy than the last. Admittedly, I was disappointed. Exhibiting a similar sturdiness and uniformity in roundness though, I had no issues whatsoever in filling my basket quickly. The fruit was ripe, albeit nowhere as fragrant and populous as the summer prior.

My birthday buddy had only filled her basket to the halfway mark. Meanwhile, I had already ran out of space before we located the golden plums on offer.

Initially, we mistook unripe apricots for the gold plums and began picking. Only later did we discover the true golden plums - beautifully marbled, glowy bulbs the size of nectarine pits. I sampled one for trial, ensuring to wipe its exterior cleanly; it was juicy, sweet, and likely the best plum I had ever tasted. Delicious was an understatement, for the fruit definitely left an impression on even the plum-ambivalent likes of me. Again, I regretted not obtaining a larger basket to start.

We set our haul down for a moment, enjoying the breeze and shade briefly. During this time, I observed families with young children frolic. Many had come in small groups of up to four people. They swiftly took to their fruit of choice before departing in the same fashion. This ensured a blissful parking situation to be maintained.
Only a few rambunctious ones were spotted with picnic blankets and lawn chairs, obstructing orchard corridors, resting their feet on the tree trunks, and casually tossing peanut shells on the ground. Such demeanours are precisely the reason behind the farm operator's strict policies and responses: the bare level of respect is not maintained.

Our haul was weighed at checkout: My box of peaches, golden plums, and unripe apricots rang in at $24, while my birthday buddy's at $11. The amounts were astoundingly reasonable for fresh produce, should you ask me.

During our stay, some trees were spotted bearing withered leaves or leaves with fine holes. In spite of that, the fruit remained untouched. This observation could be inferred to be a result of using pesticides. With this information in mind, it is recommended to wash the fruit thoroughly before consumption, as indicated by the posted signage by the farm entrance.

While the furthest in distance, Parkway Orchards shall continue to be my go-to picking spot for seasonal fruit. It is undeniable that their produce assumes a consistent quality unable to be located elsewhere. I found pleasure in roaming their farm, but enjoyed the speedy, fuss-free picking process and indoor plumbing facilities even more.

I really should have picked more golden plums!!

Before heading back to the GTA, a stopover for coffee was deemed fitting.

Google Maps led me to Hummingbird Coffee Co., a destination that acted as both a café and retailer for single-serve coffee pods and barista supplies (think flavour syrups).

An Iced Coffee with a self-imposed dusting of cinnamon (but why?) was my birthday buddy's choice of drink. Meanwhile, I was more intrigued by their branded selection of coffee beans. Under the barista's recommendation, a 454 g of Morning Jungle was procured for $20.95. No further purchases were made as my XL Polar Pop was only half depleted.

I praised the café for utilizing a two-way glass cover to improve insulation within the space. Those outside the cafe would not be able to see beyond the seemingly opaque glass cover, however those that resided within could perceive an unobstructed view of external happenings.

After visits to the accessible washroom stall, we continued on our way.

The final detour was COBS Bread for redemption of my birthday Cinnamon Bun. The St. Catharines outpost boasted a sizable round with more dough, less cream cheese frosting, and plenty of cinnamon sugar.

I later learned that CAA members were eligible for a complimentary treat with every purchase of fifteen dollars or more, though the offer was exclusive to the Ridley Square location.

Driving back to the west end of the GTA was an effortless 70 minutes - much better than anticipated!

Two stopovers later, we found ourselves at Celebration Square to check out the Latin Festival. Bustling and lively, the scene was intriguing with Latin dance demos and the enticing aromas of arepas, tacos, and more.

We didn't stay long though, for I wished to explore the Asian Night Market taking place in the P6 lot as well.

Securing parking just east of the event grounds were easier than expected, though the evening was still early. At 5:30 PM, we succeeded in roaming the corridors without hassle and obtaining street fare without wait.

There were fewer vendors than the typical night market, however the ones present were sufficient in addressing our desires.

A former coworker had shared her Friday evening findings from Em & Thread, prompting my own haul of two delicate, whimsical floral bracelets and an adorable blue-white gingham and eyelet scrunchie.

Strolling past many a skewer booth, I found Tang Hulu ($3 mini sticks was genius!) and my coveted stall of Shao Bing Ge.

Without a physical location, pop-up events remain the sole source of obtaining a freshly cooked shaobing pocket. Phenomenal was the specimen, garnering contentment in every facet.