Flavors of fall

Warm pie, hot cider, hay rides and corn mazes are the cornerstones of fall.

Graver’s Orchard, Emerald Cider Mill, Walker’s Tree Farm and Troxell Pumpkin Patch are just a few of the farms in the area that have the goods to keep October traditions going with family friendly autumn fun.

Graver’s Orchard, located at 1600 Owl Creek Road in Lehighton, was started in 1910 by Lafayette Graver. The trees are full of apples, while the patch’s plump pumpkins are just waiting to be picked and taken home for baking or decorating.

The orchard is open all week long from 8 a.m. until dusk or 6 p.m. according to Richard Graver, orchard owner for the past 40 years. Sunday is the busiest day for the pick-your-own family event.

“The number one thing to do with the picked apples is make apple pies. And applesauce, but mostly pie,” Graver said.

The orchard opened the last week of September and will stay open until the last week of October, or into November while there are still apples to be plucked.

Pennsylvania is number four in the country’s apple production, producing more than four million bushels a season. Graver’s grows several types of apples including popular Galas and Macintosh.

Slatington-based Emerald Cider Mill knows the value of fresh squeezed autumn ripe cider. Carl Fritchey started pressing his apples 25 years ago creating the Lehigh Valley favored cider.

Along with the pick-your-own variety, the mill presses its homegrown apples to sell at farm stands and local events throughout the season. In fact, the cider mill will have a stand at the upcoming Walnutport Canal Festival Sunday afternoon.

Located at 3571 East Grant St., the mill is open everyday from noon until dark. Pumpkins on the vine that are waiting to be picked can be found on the property as well. Both the mill and orchard participate in the state-sponsored farmers’ market voucher program.

If you prefer pre-picked gourds, several patches in the area can provide ready-cut pumpkins.

Walker’s Tree Farm, 308 Spruce St., Lehighton, has an assortment of entertainment for children and adults, as well as the Halloween decoration staple.

“It’s mostly families. This time of year the place is geared for young children,” co-owner Sandy Walker said.

Sandy and her husband, Lee Walker, have been operating the tree farm since taking it over from Lee’s grandfather, David Diehl, in 1971. Diehl opened the farm in 1930.

Along with a pre-cut pumpkin patch, there are barn animals to visit, a playground, small corn maze, and afternoon hay rides.

Tractor drawn rides across the family owned farm are offered every weekend until the end of October. The farm is open every weekend from 11 a.m., to 4:30 p.m. until Oct. 24. The farm then switches seasons and becomes a well-known location for Christmas tree picking.

Troxell Pumpkin Patch, 2087 Mahoning Mountain Road, Lehighton, also has a selection of pre-picked pumpkins.

The patch is home to a variety of friendly animals including a mini horse named Lily. Families can bring their little ones to enjoy the animals, bounce house and corn maze, along with horse-pulled hay rides across the mountain-top farm.

The pumpkin patch is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.