The Whidbey Island Farm Tour, a free 2-day event, offers folks a chance to have an experience of the Island’s rural character.

Participants will not only see examples of working farms, but they will also connect with the farmers that make locally grown food, fiber and other products possible.

Visitors can wander at their own pace through 17 different farms encompassing north, central and south Whidbey Island on Saturday, Sept. 11, and Sunday, Sept. 12.

The tour is free and you can start anywhere and take in as many or as few farms as you like.

Most farms are open both days starting at 10 a.m.; however, a few farms are open Saturday only. Please see the information on the maps at www.whidbeyfarmtour.com. Driving directions and details about all of the activities can be found on the maps.

This year there is a Garlic Lovers Festival at Willowood Farm and Harvest Festival at Good Cheer Garden. You’ll have a chance to watch training demonstrations with dogs and horses at Rain Shadow Ridge, and see alpacas skills at Fern Ridge and Sonshine.

Other activities include educational programs at each of the farms, rides on draft-horse-drawn wagons at A Knot In Thyme and lavender distilling at Lavender Wind Farm. See cooking demonstrations at Huntersmoon Farm and fiber arts demonstrations at Pronkin’ Pastures. Learn about the “square foot gardening method” at Sonshine and see a yurt at Fern Ridge.

Tour-takers will also be able to check out everything from goats, horses, pigs, turkeys, alpacas, cows and chickens, to all types of herbs and produce, blueberries, grapes, lavender, honey, wine and late harvest vegetables.

All are welcome to participate in the Local Harvest dinner party, entertainment and art auction hosted at Mukilteo Coffee Roasters’ Café in the Woods on Saturday, Sept., 11 at 6 p.m. All details can be found at www.whidbeyfarmtour.com.