A long-running orchard in Essex County is marking 50 years of apple picking. Thiessen Orchards in Leamington will be holding a special celebration on Saturday, September 12, to mark the milestone. Owner Andrew Thiessen says Saturday is going to be like a big birthday party. “We’ve got some balloon people coming to make little balloons for the kids. We’re giving away; the first 500 people receive a free apple fritter. We’ve got some characters dressed up so it’s like a birthday party. Face painting for the young guests,” he says. The farm’s roots date back to 1926, when Jacob Thiessen came to Canada from Ukraine. Over the years, the family established what would become Thiessen Orchards. In January 2013, Andrew and Krissy Thiessen became the owners of the farm, carrying on the family legacy as the third generation. Thiessen says their slogan is “You can’t get a fresher apple than the one you pick yourself!” He says the older he gets, the more sentimental he gets about the farm. “It’s special; it’s something we do that’s a lot of work; it’s farming, and it’s nice to see the smiles on people’s faces when they come out with their families,” he says. Along with letting people pick their own apples, visitors can also harvest their own pumpkins, try a number of food and drink items sold on site, explore the corn maze, or let their kids use the family-friendly attractions like playgrounds, jump pads, farm animals, and super slides. Thiessen says it’s always special to see people enjoying their time on the farm and enjoying the food. “We’ve got all sorts of fall treats like apple pies, caramel apples, apple fritters, and sausage on a bun. We also have slushies, apple cider, apple cider slushies, and different treats to enjoy eating or drink as well,” he says. The orchard will be open from Thursday, September 10, through Saturday, October 31. The 82-acre farm is also known for its annual Halloween Extravaganza, which draws large crowds each October with trick-or-treating, a magician, characters, and entertainment for all ages. Thiessen Orchard typically sees 15,000 to 20,000 people during the apple-picking season. The property is located at 394 Talbot Road East between Mersea Road 12 and Mersea Road 15. Click here for more information on which apples are ready to be picked.
