About 300 people celebrated Mother's Day with brunch at a Central Alberta farm this past weekend.
DNA Gardens, located in Elnora, which is east of Innisfail, hosted its second annual Mother's Day celebration on Sunday, May 11.
"We served up 300 Eggs Benedict with brisket on our farm here. It's quite a remote location, it's the far east corner of Red Deer County," said Arden Delidais, who owns DNA Gardens with her husband Dave.
"People come out to enjoy the ambience. It's a relaxed environment and they certainly get hands-on attention."
While this was only the second Mother's Day event at DNA Gardens, the farm has served host to many long-table dinners.
Delidais said she and her husband have been fruit-farming for about 15 years.
"Saskatoons were our first crop and now we've got 25 acres of orchard," she said.
"Five years ago we realized we had too much crop, so we began making wines and spirits on the farm. We're creating a destination. Our pies are going over really well too."
Wine tours are offered at the farm from June to September. Tasha Martin, DNA Gardens market manager, noted that the winery is located inside the house that Dave grew up in.
"There's history all over this farm," Martin said.
"The house he grew up in was converted into the winery. The fruit goes from the orchard, to the kitchen where we juice it. Then all of the wine and spirits are made right on site. It's a really cool, self-contained spot out here at DNA Gardens."
DNA Gardens will now be gearing up to host its Saskatoon Days Festival on July 19-20.
"We have a dunk tank there, we'll be supporting local charities," said Martin.
"We also have face-painting and a mom's market, as well as a little farmers market that'll be set up right on the farm. People can go on wagon rides and wine tours. The festival is kind of the kickoff to our 'U-Pick' season as well."
DNA Gardens also features an on-site store with local vendors. Additionally, the farm will be participating in Open Farm Days on Aug. 16-17.
For more information on the farm, visit www.dnagardens.ca.
