Open Farm Days finalist for agri-tourism award

Alberta’s agri-tourism sector is earning national recognition, with Canadian Event Awards naming Alberta Open Farm Days a finalist in the Best Market/Fair or Festival category for 2025.

Organizers say the recognition reflects a collective effort across the province.

Recognition for a growing sector

The annual event, which connects consumers directly with farmers and ranchers, relies on a wide network of community partners, volunteers, vendors, and producers to bring the experience to life.

“This recognition is incredibly meaningful for everyone involved in Open Farm Days. It reflects the work of producers, partners, and volunteers across the province who come together to showcase agriculture in a way that connects directly with the public,” says Charlotte Wasylik of Chatsworth Farm, one of the organizers and participants in Open Farm Days.

The Canadian Event Awards program is typically dominated by large-scale conferences, festivals, and galas in major urban centres. Being shortlisted alongside those events highlights the growing strength of Alberta’s agri-tourism industry.

Standing out among major events

Open Farm Days is one of only three agricultural events selected as finalists this year, and notably, the only one from outside major tourism hubs like Calgary or Edmonton.

Organizers note that the application process is both self-submitted and rigorously evaluated by experienced event professionals. That creates an added challenge for agricultural events, which must clearly communicate the complexity behind their operations to judges more familiar with traditional event formats. From managing biosecurity protocols and coordinating livestock movement, Open Farm Days involves layers of planning that go far beyond a typical festival. This recognition signals that those efforts, and the broader agri-tourism experience, are being acknowledged at a national level.

Winners will be announced April 29 at a gala in Toronto.