Fall Cider And Donuts In Chester

There are plenty of ways to enjoy fall in Chester for couples and families, from apple-picking to s'mores under the stars:

Alstede Farms

Alstede farms, the brainchild of Chester native, and first generation farmer, Kurt, has been around since 1982. This fall, as in that past, the farm is offering apple varieties for picking that include Honey Crisp, Empire, Red Delicious, Granny Smith, and more. Visitors can also pick their own pumpkins and Indian corn and potatoes. For those interested in a way to enjoy the fall evenings, Alstede offers Harvest Moon Hayrides on weekend evenings beginning on September 23. Each evening from 6 to 10 PM, participants can enjoy hayrides under the moon, campfire, hot cider, and country music while noshing on s'mores. Alstede is located on 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Corner 84 County Route. 513 South in Chester. For more information, visit their website www.alstedefarms.com or contact the farm at (908) 879-7189.

Chester Lions Club

On Saturday, September 24, the Chester Lions Club is presenting their 17th annual Oktoberfest. The weekend of September 24, Chubb Park will be transformed into a German celebration, with live music, professional dancers, and activities for children. Visitors can dine on bratwurst, sauerkraut, pretzels, apple strudel, beehive cake, and more. The Club will also feature an antique car show on Saturday. The event happens on Saturday, September 24 and Sunday, September 25, from 12 PM to 8 PM at the Chubb Park on West Main Street in Chester. Admission is $6 for adults. Children 12 and under are free. For more information, visit www.chesterlionsclubnj.com

Hacklebarney Farm Cider Mill

For over 150 years, the Hacklebarney Farm has been tilling and seeding its soil in Chester, New Jersey. Now in its 7th generation, the family-oriented farm is continuing its annual fall festivities with demonstrations of making their wood-pressed cider and offering pumpkins for picking. While the farm customarily offers apple picking, this fall, their blossoms unfortunately froze. But they're offering their massive corn maze for kids and families to enjoy and their famous donuts, which have been known to run out. Hacklebarney Farm Cider Mill is located at 104 State Park Road in Chester. They're open every day from 10 AM to 5 PM. For more information, contact the farm at (908) 879-6593 or visit their site: www.njcidermill.com.

Parks Farms

Parks has been around since 1906 and they'll be offering pick-you-own apples and pumpkins, along with a ride on their wagon. They will also offer sweet corn this fall. The farm is open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM on Route 24. For more information, contact them at (908) 879-5509.

Riamede Farm

Riamede Farm, the first pick-your-own apple orchard in the state of New Jersey, has been around since 1974. The 35-acre orchard still has some of the old seedling apple trees that were planted over a half century ago, and the popular farm features 34 varieties of apples ripe for picking, from traditional classics to modern favorites. Apple-picking is already in swing at this farm, but the farm also specializes in other seasonal necessities like hot cider, donuts, fall wreaths, gourds, and Indian corn. Call (908) 879-5353 for the current apple picking variety report. Riamede is located at 122 Oakdale Road and open daily from 9 AM to 4:30 PM through early November. For more information, visit www.riamede.com.

Downtown Chester

It's Chester's 33rd Annual Harvest Celebration, in the township's historic Downtown. The free two-day event, which customarily features food and fun will showcase a soup and chili cook-off on Saturday, October 15. Competing restaurants/chefs will provide small samplings (for approx. 600 attendees) of their specialty soup and/or chili and/or dessert which must include one or more of our co-sponsor’s products (French’s® in the recipe.) The culinary extravaganza will also offer mouth-watering samples from Morris County’s favorite restaurants and eateries. You couldn’t pick a better way to spend a weekend! Come and enjoy great food, try your luck with the raffles, and dance to the music! More details to come late September.

Willowwood Arboretum

If you want to see what a garden should look like when it isn't regularly foraged by rabbits and deer, enjoy the Fall Open House at Willowwood on Sunday, October 4. The annual event showcases plants with fall interest, including bulbs, shrubs, trees, flowers and vines, and it'll give even those with a purple thumb great ideas on how to create the perfect fall garden. The Cottage Garden will be on display, as well as the rarely seen historic Tubbs house, home of the first Willowwood gardeners, Henry and Robert Tubbs. Willowwood will also offer half hour long tours of fall-friendly garden areas by expert horticulturists. Complimentary Light refreshments are provided by the Willowwood Foundation. The annual Fall Open House at the Willowwood Arboretum is scheduled on Sunday, October 4 from 12 to 4 PM. The cost is $5 per car, exact change only. The arboretum is located at 14 Longview Road in Far Hills. For more information, visit http://www.willowwoodarboretum...

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