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| Michel Dignard and Jeannette Mongeon's farm in Embru, Ont. is home to a Popsilo by Lacey Jane and Layla Folkmann. JOHNNY C.Y. LAM/THE GLOBE AND MAIL |
A short drive from downtown Ottawa brings you to Prescott-Russell, a pastoral region filled with working farms, dairy cows, grain silos and scenic winding roads. During the harvest season, roadside fruit and vegetable stands can be found dotted throughout the area. It’s a perfect mini-getaway from the city to reconnect with the land that feeds us.
You will also encounter graffiti-covered silos. At first glance, one might think these are derelict structures that have been vandalized, but the reality is quite the opposite. The silos are canvases for giant murals created by various accomplished artists, many of them from the Canadian graffiti scene, and part of Popsilos, a project launched in 2017 as a part of the Canada 150 celebrations. The concept combines art and agri-food tourism in a circuit that leads to five giant murals, surprising and delighting daytrippers.
Though there is more than one route to visit these painted silos, I take the least direct route from Ottawa just to crisscross the South Nation River a couple of times before reaching the town of St. Albert. The town is home to the St. Albert Cheese Factory, which is famous for its squeaky and tasty cheese curds. Sitting at the outdoor patio, I gobble down a classic poutine loaded with gravy and fresh curds before moving on to find Ben-Rey-Mo Ltd. Farm, a dairy farm not far from the cheese factory. Painted on its silo is a montage of elements that are significant to the region. The white snowy owl, which adorns the very top of the silo, has drawn many birding enthusiasts to the area. Below the owl is a scene of folks fishing on a river. The artwork captures a passion for outdoor life in Ontario.
Road 10Pastoral scenery meets pop-art graffiti on this country road trip outside Ottawa
Though there is more than one route to visit these painted silos, I take the least direct route from Ottawa just to crisscross the South Nation River a couple of times before reaching the town of St. Albert. The town is home to the St. Albert Cheese Factory, which is famous for its squeaky and tasty cheese curds. Sitting at the outdoor patio, I gobble down a classic poutine loaded with gravy and fresh curds before moving on to find Ben-Rey-Mo Ltd. Farm, a dairy farm not far from the cheese factory. Painted on its silo is a montage of elements that are significant to the region. The white snowy owl, which adorns the very top of the silo, has drawn many birding enthusiasts to the area. Below the owl is a scene of folks fishing on a river. The artwork captures a passion for outdoor life in Ontario.
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| Farm Boy by Emmanual Jarus and Zek One at Ouimet Farms Adventure in Champlain, Ont. JOHNNY C.Y. LAM/THE GLOBE AND MAIL |
Road 10, between St. Albert and Vankleek Hill, is particularly picturesque. On my left, just on the other side of the Ottawa River, the Laurentians are silhouetted against the sky. In the distance, I see a large bird painted on the top of a silo, peeping through treetops in the golden light as I travel toward Vankleek Hill Vineyard. The artist, Omen514, named the mural Kruk, the word for raven in Polish, in honour of his Polish roots.
Down the road on Main Street in Vankleek Hill is Ouimet Farms Adventure, my last Popsilo of the day. Owner André Ouimet, a fourth-generation farmer, runs the farm as an adventure park, offering a giant corn maze, pick-your-own pumpkins and haunted farm tours. The mural on the silo at his farm features a young farmer looking toward the sky with confidence. It seems like a symbol of hope and ambition for the future.
Another view of Our Youth, Our Future by Lacey Jane and Layla Folkmann in Embru, Ont.
JOHNNY C.Y. LAM/THE GLOBE AND MAIL
How to get there
From Ottawa, take Russell Road (road 26) to begin the circuit. If you are coming from Quebec, take the Rue Maple/John Street bridge to Hawkesbury and follow road 34 to Vankleek Hill to begin the circuit. For the full country road experience, avoid taking Trans Canada 417. Two new silos are being painted this year, for specific location information visit popsilos.ca.
What to bring
Bring binoculars if you want a closer look at the top end of the murals, plenty of drinking water for the car and reusable bags for purchasing produce from roadside farm stands.
Where to stay
The Andaz Ottawa Byward Market has a fantastic rooftop patio with an excellent view of the city, especially at night. between St. Albert and Vankleek Hill, is particularly picturesque. On my left, just on the other side of the Ottawa River, the Laurentians are silhouetted against the sky. In the distance, I see a large bird painted on the top of a silo, peeping through treetops in the golden light as I travel toward Vankleek Hill Vineyard. The artist, Omen514, named the mural Kruk, the word for raven in Polish, in honour of his Polish roots.
Down the road on Main Street in Vankleek Hill is Ouimet Farms Adventure, my last Popsilo of the day. Owner André Ouimet, a fourth-generation farmer, runs the farm as an adventure park, offering a giant corn maze, pick-your-own pumpkins and haunted farm tours. The mural on the silo at his farm features a young farmer looking toward the sky with confidence. It seems like a symbol of hope and ambition for the future.
Another view of Our Youth, Our Future by Lacey Jane and Layla Folkmann in Embru, Ont.JOHNNY C.Y. LAM/THE GLOBE AND MAIL
How to get there
From Ottawa, take Russell Road (road 26) to begin the circuit. If you are coming from Quebec, take the Rue Maple/John Street bridge to Hawkesbury and follow road 34 to Vankleek Hill to begin the circuit. For the full country road experience, avoid taking Trans Canada 417. Two new silos are being painted this year, for specific location information visit popsilos.ca.
What to bring
Bring binoculars if you want a closer look at the top end of the murals, plenty of drinking water for the car and reusable bags for purchasing produce from roadside farm stands.
Where to stay
The Andaz Ottawa Byward Market has a fantastic rooftop patio with an excellent view of the city, especially at night.
*BY JOHNNY C.Y. LAM, SPECIAL TO THE GLOBE AND MAIL
Down the road on Main Street in Vankleek Hill is Ouimet Farms Adventure, my last Popsilo of the day. Owner André Ouimet, a fourth-generation farmer, runs the farm as an adventure park, offering a giant corn maze, pick-your-own pumpkins and haunted farm tours. The mural on the silo at his farm features a young farmer looking toward the sky with confidence. It seems like a symbol of hope and ambition for the future.
Another view of Our Youth, Our Future by Lacey Jane and Layla Folkmann in Embru, Ont.
JOHNNY C.Y. LAM/THE GLOBE AND MAIL
How to get there
From Ottawa, take Russell Road (road 26) to begin the circuit. If you are coming from Quebec, take the Rue Maple/John Street bridge to Hawkesbury and follow road 34 to Vankleek Hill to begin the circuit. For the full country road experience, avoid taking Trans Canada 417. Two new silos are being painted this year, for specific location information visit popsilos.ca.
What to bring
Bring binoculars if you want a closer look at the top end of the murals, plenty of drinking water for the car and reusable bags for purchasing produce from roadside farm stands.
Where to stay
The Andaz Ottawa Byward Market has a fantastic rooftop patio with an excellent view of the city, especially at night. between St. Albert and Vankleek Hill, is particularly picturesque. On my left, just on the other side of the Ottawa River, the Laurentians are silhouetted against the sky. In the distance, I see a large bird painted on the top of a silo, peeping through treetops in the golden light as I travel toward Vankleek Hill Vineyard. The artist, Omen514, named the mural Kruk, the word for raven in Polish, in honour of his Polish roots.
Down the road on Main Street in Vankleek Hill is Ouimet Farms Adventure, my last Popsilo of the day. Owner André Ouimet, a fourth-generation farmer, runs the farm as an adventure park, offering a giant corn maze, pick-your-own pumpkins and haunted farm tours. The mural on the silo at his farm features a young farmer looking toward the sky with confidence. It seems like a symbol of hope and ambition for the future.
Another view of Our Youth, Our Future by Lacey Jane and Layla Folkmann in Embru, Ont.JOHNNY C.Y. LAM/THE GLOBE AND MAIL
How to get there
From Ottawa, take Russell Road (road 26) to begin the circuit. If you are coming from Quebec, take the Rue Maple/John Street bridge to Hawkesbury and follow road 34 to Vankleek Hill to begin the circuit. For the full country road experience, avoid taking Trans Canada 417. Two new silos are being painted this year, for specific location information visit popsilos.ca.
What to bring
Bring binoculars if you want a closer look at the top end of the murals, plenty of drinking water for the car and reusable bags for purchasing produce from roadside farm stands.
Where to stay
The Andaz Ottawa Byward Market has a fantastic rooftop patio with an excellent view of the city, especially at night.
*BY JOHNNY C.Y. LAM, SPECIAL TO THE GLOBE AND MAIL
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