By Staff
Wicks' Apple House, 52281 Indian Lake Road, has added a new attraction for family fun.
The Haunted Barn, a frightening fun house, opens Friday, Oct. 3, at 7 p.m. and will be open weekends through Nov. 1 until 11 p.m.
Third-year owners Jerry and Kelli Casey say the Haunted Barn will be scary enough for the biggest thrill seekers, yet suitable for younger children.
It is recommended that children under 10 be accompanied by an adult.
Wicks' annual Ciderfest will take place Oct. 11-12.
More than 26,000 people attended this two-day event in 2002.
This celebration of the fall harvest includes a petting zoo, face painting, horse-drawn wagon rides of the centennial farm and a live country band -- all free.
Local firefighters will demonstrate their smokehouse, which teaches safe ways to exit a building that has filled with smoke.
Another exhibit will have many large tractors on display to see how the technology of farming has evolved.
The festival will also afford an opportunity to try to find your way through the Wild West Adventure corn maze, a fun and educational event for families to participate together in and to use their problem-solving and navigational skills.
The four-acre maze consists of 6,000 feet of pathways cut through more than 100,000 living cornstalks in the shape of cowboy Bronco Billy on horseback as he rides off into the sunset on his final roundup of steers.
Michigan's only Maize Quest cornfield maze will be open until Nov. 2.
Hours are Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Wicks' Apple House also sells local fruit and vegetables, gourmet food items, bakes apple and spice doughnuts daily and sells fresh, homemade fruit pies.
Its gift shop carries a variety of collectibles and home decor.
Wicks' presses "Apple Squeezins" on its century-old cider press every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday in the fall.
Wicks' also offers breakfast or lunch in its Orchard View Restaurant, added in 1987.
The Caseys purchased the business from Paul and Suzanne Wicks.
Wicks' Apple House celebrated 53 years in business in May.
Call 269/782-7306 for further information.