It’s not just the pumpkins in bloom over at Aldor Acres in Glen Valley. There’s growing excitement about the family farm’s upcoming 25th anniversary bash.
Dubbed ‘Special Needs Day,’ the event, which takes place on Sunday, Aug. 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., will feature good old fashioned fun for all ages.
In addition to animal displays, there will be petting zoos, hayrides and more.
Admission to the farm will be by donation, with all proceeds going to the Special Olympics BC. There will also be a concession open — Redwoods Golf Course is supplying the food at no cost and Save on Foods is supplying the beverages.
“We’ve always welcomed everyone to the farm — the community has been so good to us and this just another way for us to be involved and to give back to a great charity,” said Albert Anderson, who owns Aldor Acres Farm with his wife Dorothy.
Looking back on a quarter of a century in the agricultural business, Anderson can’t believe how much their farm —purchased back in 1971 — has grown.
The couple put a small sign and a jar at the end of the road back in 1988 and started selling pumpkins on the honour system. Little did they know, it would become a huge hit. It wasn’t long before they were offering tours to schools and families from all over the Fraser Valley.
“It’s unbelievable in a lot of ways,” chuckled Anderson. “We come in at night dead tired but you’re thanked so many times during the day.
Today, the farm offers tractor-drawn hayrides out to the pumpkin patch and providing an educational, hands-on farm experience for guests.
With more urbanized space encroaching on the Fraser Valley landscape, visitors enjoy the opportunity to connect with nature.
“The area has become more urbanized — access to space and contact with animals is a luxury that most people don’t have,” said Anderson.
“Parents really appreciate the fact that their kids can run free more than 10 feet away from them.”
Aldor Acres has become a real family affair — the Anderson’s four children have started their own businesses as a spinoff of the ‘Aldor’ name.
Mark, the oldest son, and his wife Leanna started Aldor Acres Christmas Trees. Son Brian and wife Erin operate the Dairy Centre, and youngest daughter Gail, and husband Bob, have an apple orchard that provides fresh apples for the farm in the fall.
The Andersons’ granddaughter Melissa works full-time on the farm alongside her grandparents – the anniversary celebration happens to fall on her 25th birthday.
“She (Melissa) was never going to be a farmer, but she came up with the idea and worked her way up to management of this place. The fundraiser we’re having is all her idea,”
Aldor Acres is located at 24990 84 Ave. Visit www.aldoracresfamilyfarm.ca or call 604-888-0788.