(WWJ) Get out, and smell the fresh donuts! Autumn is on the way...and that means it's cider mill season in Michigan.
Beginning this week, Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill, Blake’s Big Apple and the newly renovated Blake’s Backyard in Almont has a harvest of fun fall events and attractions in store.
All Blake’s locations are open seven days a week with fall activities offered daily to help minimize crowded weekends.
All Blake’s locations are open seven days a week with fall activities offered daily to help minimize crowded weekends.
With COVID-19 concerns in mind, there are additional outdoor retail outposts to purchase Blake’s treats, hand sanitization stations throughout the properties and timed ticketing for attractions and activities to limit capacity.
“We are especially excited to mark our family’s 75th year anniversary and welcome our returning and first-time guests to our properties this fall,” said Andrew Blake, president, Blake Family of Companies. “The farm and apple orchards started it all in 1946, and, over the years, that expanded to year-round attractions, experiences and events that is now a tradition for many families and we are honored to help create those memories for generations.”
Gather the family and friends for a bounty of fall activities:
U-Pick Apples and Pumpkins – Daily 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill, Blake’s Big Apple, Blake’s Backyard)
For the freshest fall produce, take a trip to Blake’s U-Pick orchards. Acres of apples from McIntosh and Red Delicious, to Fuji and Gala await picking now through the end of Oct. Pumpkin picking season takes place mid-Sept. through Oct.
Barnyard Funland & Adventure Area – Daily 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill and Blake’s Big Apple)
A favorite Blake’s experience for kids of all ages, Blake’s Funland offers more than 30 farm fun activities including animal petting farm, train rides, animal petting farm, straw mountain and more. New attractions this year are a giant jumping pillow and 75th anniversary commemorative corn maze. Take a train ride through the orchard or take on Blake’s Adventure Area’s giant slide, rockwall, and bungee jump (with separate admission tickets).
Reservations will be limited and space in 30-minute intervals to allow visitors to maintain social distancing. It is highly recommended guests purchase advance tickets online to guarantee entry. Walk-up admission may not be available due to capacity limits. Purchase advance tickets at www.blakefarms.com.
Haunted Weekends – Sept. 17 to Oct. 31 Fri./Sat. from 6:00 – 11:00 p.m., Sun. 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. at Blake’s Big Apple
A spooky fun time is in store during Haunted Weekends at Blake’s. Advance purchased tickets are required, available online at www.blakefarms.com.
Zombie Paintball (no age restriction, parental discretion advised) brings favorite video games to life on Blake’s custom hayride equipped with paintball guns to hunt ‘live’ zombies across ten acres. Enter the Three-Story Haunted Barn (suitable for ages 10+) and get ready for some frightful fun behind every door and corner of all three floors.Spookyland 3D Maze (suitable for all ages) offers cornstalk mazes, a petting farm, pedal tractor and tricycle tracks, the funhouse and terror tunnel and Halloween-themed movies.Take a Haunted Hayride (no age restriction, parental discretion advised) through Blake’s grounds where ghosts and goblins come alive along the journey.
Nighttime Bonfires – Fri./Sat. Sept. 17 to Oct. 30, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. at Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill
What’s better on a crisp fall evening than relaxing in front of a cozy bonfire with family and friends? Groups can enjoy private seating area, cider and donuts and a private bonfire. Add on a s’mores package with Blake’s homemade chocolate fudge and all the fixings to roast over the bonfire. Reservations are required at blakefarms.com/fall-campfires/.
Monster 5k Dash – Sept. 27, 6:30 p.m. at Blake’s Big Apple location
The yearly costumed 5k walk or run for all ages takes participants across gravel trails through the Haunted Hayride and Zombie Paintball scenes. Registration includes a donut, sweet cider or can of Blake’s Hard Cider (21+), t-shirt, small pie pumpkin and admission to the Spookyland 3D Maze. Early bird registration by Sept. 23 is $40 per person, $45 through race day.
For the grown-ups, plan an evening at Blake’s Orchard Square & Tap or the newly redeveloped Blake’s Backyard in Almont. Open daily, both locations feature indoor and outdoor gathering areas, Taproom, serving Blake’s Hard Cider, beer, and wine, dining including sharable and small bites starters, salads, sandwiches and more. Blake’s Orchard Square also offers live music on the weekends, bonfires, and games.
Fall is a popular time to plan group tours and celebrations at Blake’s. Schedule a school field trip for a day of education and fun with an all-inclusive package including u-pick apples, cider and donuts and admission to the Barnyard Funland. Blake’s is also an ideal place to host a Birthday party or special group outing that guests are sure to remember.
Hours of Operation
Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill (17985 Armada Center Rd. in Armada) open daily, Sun. – Thurs. from 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. and Fri. and Sat. from 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Blake’s Big Apple (71485 North Ave. in Armada) open daily from 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (Sat. and Sun. open until 11:00 p.m. for Haunted Weekends)
Blake’s Backyard Almont (5580 Van Dyke Ave. in Almont) open Sun. – Wed. 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thurs. – Sat. 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Visit www.blakefarms.com for complete information.