A very good apple harvest is underway in the famed apple growing area surrounding Gays Mills, Wisconsin. Last week the orchards brought in the highly desired Honeycrisp apples, so a good supply of these sweet, crisp apples is readily available right now. Other late maturing apples will continue to be harvested for a while. Several of the orchards have very neat gift shops associated with their businesses and it’s a blast to browse the shelves for eclectic soup mixes, locally made maple syrup and honey, pumpkins, and of course for specialty Wisconsin cheeses.
Our favorite set of orchards, four in all, lie on Wisconsin Hwy 171 between the village of Gays Mills on the west and US Hwy 61 on the east. Sunrise, Kickapoo, Fleming and Hillcrest orchards have all been in business for many years. Some of these orchards have their own bakeries, and there is a separate bakery – Apple-icious Pie Depot. Apple pies, apple pizzas, apple donuts and way more are produced in their ovens daily.
Sept 26 and 27 are the dates of the annual Gays Mills Apple Fest. Festivities will include a flea market, arts and crafts show, live music, parade, and great food. Beyond apple fest weekend some of the orchards will stay open into December, making them a prefect spot to continue making apple and specialty gift purchases. The Inn at Lonesome Hollow - www.lonesomehollow.com – is located only a few miles from the orchards. Stay for a night or two, visit the orchards, and take in the spectacular fall colors while in the area.
Tags: apples, driftless area, Gays Mills Apple Fest, Gays Mills orchards, Honeycrisp apples, Kickapoo Orchard, kickapoo valley, orchards
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