Road trip out to the country and discover Armstrong Spallumcheen B.C., located in the North Okanagan near Vernon. The city of Armstrong is surrounded by the Township of Spallumcheen. This deeply rooted local agricultural community has more than eight farms supplying fresh organic crops to the area, as well as shipping produce across B.C.
Worth noting, the area boasts one of the best blooming tulip festivals in B.C. and is home to a family-owned and operated cidery and small winery.
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What is Armstrong and Spallumcheen known for?
- Armstrong is known for making cheese.
- It has the first B.C. Barn Quilt Trail.
- It’s one of the few places in B.C. to buy vegan wine.
- It’s proudly home to B.C.’s longest continuously running farmer’s market.
10 things to do in Armstrong and Spallumcheen B.C.
Explore the quaint city of Armstrong and Spallumcheen’s beautiful countryside with 220 kms of roadways past farmlands, gentle rolling hills, orchards and pastures.
1. Travel the Barn Quilt Trail
The Barn Quilt Trail started in Ohio in 2001. Since then, the grassroots art project has grown from coast-to-coast with more than 7,000 painted quilts adorning barns.
Explore less-travelled roads when you go on a self-guided tour of B.C.’s first Barn Quilt Trail. To date, there are 40 painted block squares on barns, homes or businesses in this region and the North Okanagan Valley. Here is a map to view these beautiful works of art.
On the Barn Quilt Trail in Spallumcheen near Vernon in the Okanagan. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
On the Barn Quilt Trail in Spallumcheen near Vernon in the Okanagan. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
On the Barn Quilt Trail in Spallumcheen near Vernon in the Okanagan. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
2. Taste Farmstrong Cider
Farmstrong Cider has been brewing since 2016, after purchasing the heritage family farm dating back to 1896. The owners, Jeff and Halee Fried, have been farming since 1989 and their four children now share their passion.
Farmstrong Cider Company in Spallumcheen, BC. Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
They offer premium, craft small-batch ciders with blends of apple, cherry, pear, peach, black currant, rhubarb and apricot.
Farmstrong Cider produces handcrafted cider in Spallumcheen. Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
Inside Farmstrong’s large rustic barn, there is plenty of seating. The chef produces perfectly crafted artisan wood fired pizza.
Delicious artisan pizza is made at Farmstrong Cider Company in Spallumcheen. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
While here pick up some of their Farmstrong poultry and beef from the tasting room.
3. Sip and tour at Edge of the Earth Vineyard
Edge of the Earth Vineyard produces small batch wine by hand. They are one of the few wineries who produce a vegan wine.
Open on the weekends, you can sip and tour at the same time. Come in the fall to see the vineyard in full action.
4. Tiptoe through the tulips or sunflower fields at Bloom
The annual Bloom Flower Festival runs during the month of May, while A Sunflower Festival starts in mid-August and runs to early September, depending on the weather.
5. Shop at the Armstrong Farmers Market
The Armstrong Farmers Market has been serving the area for more than 50 years. It is B.C.’s longest continuously running farmer’s market. It is the only one open on Saturdays in the North Okanagan. The winter market runs at the Odd Fellows Hall and the summer market operates outdoors starting April 29 annually.
Buy direct from the local farmers and local artisans, indulge in fresh baked goods including bannock and enjoy music form local musicians.
They usually have between 60 and 80 vendors and on site demonstrations of how craft vendors make their products.
6. Buy fresh from Armstrong Farm Company
When in season, buy the freshest asparagus and strawberries direct from the young farmers at Armstrong Farm Company.
Fresh asparagus will keep for about 10 days if stored correctly or buy extra to pickle. We paid $10 for their largest bag.
Armstrong Farm Company sells fresh asparagus directly from the farm. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
7. Feel the excitement at the Interior Provincial Exhibition Fair and Stampede
The Armstrong Interior Provincial Exhibition and Stampede is an annual fun-filled, family focussed agricultural event held for five days over the Labour Day long weekend, running Wednesday through Sunday. Buy tickets online.
Armstrong Rodeo and Exhibition Fair: Photo courtesy Armstrong Rodeo and Exhibition. Courtesy Photo.
8. Learn about Fieldstone Organics
Fieldstone Organics produce accessible pure local organic grains, free of GMO contamination, to businesses and consumers.
Find out about milling and flaking your own grains. Buy organic whole grains, seeds, lentils, peas, beans and multigrain blends from the General Store located at the processing facility.
9. Check out the cafes and stores in the historic area of Amrstrong
The quaint storefronts of the historic downtown area of Armstrong are worth checking out. One cafe we walked into was serving Dill Pickle soup. You don’t see that often. We chose to try the Wild Oak Cafe run by the sister of the Armstrong Farm Company family.
The Wild Oak Cafe serves breakfast, blended smoothies, frappes, paninis, grilled cheese, salads, wraps and sandwiches.
I opted for the Blueberry and Basil Panini with brie. Delicious.
Explore the quaint historic area of Armstrong. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
10. Attend the Big Cheese Local Food Festival
The farm to table Big Cheese Local Food Festival presents tastings, pairings, seminars and Grilled Cheese and Cheeseball Competition. The event is usually held annually in mid- April.
Don’t miss these other nearby attractions in the area:
Shuswap Lake summer fun ideas for the perfect getaway, Explore Mount Revelstoke National Park Meadows in the Sky Parkway , Epic summer mountain adventures in Revelstoke BC, Three Valley Gap Ghost Town and Car Museum, and Rust Valley Restorers Fans: White Post Auto Museum.
Find more adventures here.
Have you been here? Want to go or have other tips or comments. We'd love to hear from you.