Interested in visiting the farm?
Summer Maze Days
Play, splash, and explore
Our Story
The people and the history behind the farm we know and love.
Ready for Bushels of Fun? Welcome to the Family.
Few people have the opportunity to positively impact the lives of many. Over the last 45 years, we have been honoured to provide thousands of jobs to members of our community, support charities and other purpose-driven organizations, and entertain over 1.2 million guests. The creativity, diligence, and passion of the people of Saunders make all of this possible. Thank you so much to the staff and community that make fun, food and memories with us.
1974: The Saunders move to Munster
A pair of teachers, Bill and Anne Saunders were looking for a farm to rediscover their family roots, and to satisfy their entrepreneurial spirits. They found just the ‘fixer-upper’ southwest of Ottawa. They picked up and moved their young family to the farm.
For the four Saunders kids, the 100-acre property was an exciting opportunity to explore, discover and grow. A deep appreciation for the land and for growing soon took root in them. Two years later, in 1976, Saunders family moved across the street to a century old 100-acre farm that is now Saunders Farm, becoming one of the region’s original pick-your-own strawberry farms.
1991: The Rise of the Fall Season
Once the kids went off to college, there were insufficient pickers to keep the 25 acres of fruit farm running. Bill and Anne began looking for ways to attract visitors to the farm in the Fall Season. With just a small haunted hayride and a single haunted house, Saunders Farm opened its inaugural Fall festival in October 1992. Today, Saunders hosts one of the country’s largest halloween haunts with FrightFest and Sawmill at Lansdowne.
1994: Enter Angela
Mark was helping out his parents at an on-site party like any other. In the courtyard just outside what is now the CiderHouse he first heard the beautiful voice, then saw the beautiful face of the woman who would become the love of his life, mother of their three children and partner in building the Saunders Farm legacy. Angela, hired to sing at this party, looked out at the crowd and locked eyes with Mark. Their love for one another is unconditional (though Angela’s world-famous pies certainly don’t hurt) and can be felt all around the farm. The two took the reins from Bill and Anne in 2010, and the rest, as they say, is history.
2002: The First Summer of Maze Days
After operating the farm for corporate retreats and private picnics for a few years, the Saunders once again got the creative itch to expand to include more features for summertime family fun. They set about planning, planting and landscaping what would become the world’s biggest hedge maze attraction.
2020: A Country Christmas is born
The isolation and anxiety in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic can’t be overstated. A bit of joy, cheer and normalcy was in dire need for the Saunders Farm community. We set about developing A Country Christmas, a holiday experience that could give festive feelings, and still keep our staff and visitors safe. A festive drive thru light show and holiday night market were born, making an environment for families to celebrate apart, together.
2021: Cracking Open Cider
Saunders Cider is the region’s first estate Cider company. With 3 ‘Core’ ciders – Flying Canoe (semi-sweet), Candy Apple (sweeter) and Saw Tooth (dry) and seasonal ciders including Pie Faced and Rosy Cheeks – they are sure to satisfy all palates. Stop by the CiderHouse taproom to sample our latest ciders.
Sustainability
Saunders Farm is a working farm that cares deeply about the world we live in and the world we will leave our kids.
We are one of Canada’s greenest attractions having planted 150,000+ trees that produce oxygen and store carbon, some of which make up our mazes. Our kitchen waste is composted and our waste water is filtered through a state-of-the-art tertiary treatment plant using natural moss.
Awards
We’ve won numerous awards for our innovation, marketing, leadership, and overall excellence.
Some include:
2022
Ottawa Awards
Ottawa’s Best Fall Attraction
All Canadian Wine Championships
Silver Medalist for Modern Ciders – Saunders Cider Flying Canoe
2017
Event of the Year Finalist
Ottawa Tourism Awards
2016
Themed Event of the Year
Ottawa Tourism Awards
2015 – 2011
People’s Choice Awards
Tourism Business of the Year (Goulbourn- Kanata Chamber of Commerce)
2012
Ontario Farm Marketer of the Year
2009
First Premier’s Award for Innovation in Agriculture recipient
2002
International Farm Marketer of the Year Award
1st Canadian farm to receive the esteemed award! (North American Farmers Direct Marketing Association)
2002
Tourism Innovation Award
Ottawa Tourism and Convention Authority
What’s next?
We’re always open to new ways to make the farm better and more accessible to more people!
Email Mark at mark@saundersfarm.com to share your thoughts.
