A brisk, 55 degree breeze calls for jackets and fall sweaters. Sunset-painted trees bring the real feel of fall while everyone rushes around to get ready for the upcoming string of holidays. A cool dip in temperatures makes weekends the perfect opportunity to go enjoy warm, homemade apple cider donuts on a fun hayride, or to navigate your way through a twisty corn maze with a cup of hot cocoa in hand at Butler’s Orchard Fall Festival.

In addition to the hayride and corn maze, the Fall Festival features live music, face painting, pony rides, a petting zoo and more. You can even pick from the best pumpkins to take home and carve. Junior Gabby Wright attended the Fall festival in late October with a couple friends. “I would definitely recommend going to this place. I especially recommend it for families with small children,” Wright said.

Throughout the pandemic, Butler’s has remained open and will continue to host safe, outdoor activities all year round. Without taking away from all the fun, Butler’s is following COVID-19 guidelines to ensure their activities continue to be a safe outing for all the young families and kids that attend. “The people preparing the food were wearing masks and gloves,” Wright said.

Junior Annika Chapman visited the Fall Festival with her family to pick out pumpkins to carve with her two little brothers. “[My favorite activity was] definitely the hayride. I look forward to it every year,” Chapman said.

A traditional tractor hayride takes you on a beautiful trail through the woods, where an orange canopy of trees brings the true feel of Autumn. The hayride brings you on a quick tour of Butler’s rolling orchards and wraps all the way around the border of the festival grounds. “My favorite part of going to Butler’s is the fruit-picking opportunities,” junior Madelyn Lee said. 

Besides their fun-filled festivals, Butler’s is famous for their deliciously fresh selection of fruits and vegetables. “It was super cool to be able to pick fruits in person rather than buying from a grocery store. They taste so much better,” Lee said. 

Unlimited access to rolling hills of organically grown, pesticide-free produce is yet another perk of purchasing these festival tickets. Specifically in the fall, you can pick your own potatoes, apples, tomatoes, peppers and raspberries.

Throughout the pandemic, opening a festival to the public has been rare due to the high risk of super spreader events. A low-maintenance, safe outing in the fresh air is just what everyone needs, especially for all the young kids going stir-crazy at home. So go and enjoy a crisp apple dipped in delicious homemade caramel, or maybe pay a visit to the animal farm and ride a pony. Enjoy all the opportunities for fun at Butlers.