Broom Orchard holds 42nd annual Apple Festival

 

Pumpkin Festival is Oct. 12 and 13

By JACKSON WILSON
Enquirer Democrat Reporter

Last weekend, the Broom Orchard held its 42nd annual Apple Festival, with tons of fall-related activities to kick off the autumn season.

Throughout Sept. 28 and Sept. 29, guests flocked through the orchard, picking their own apples, trekking through a corn maze, sightseeing sunflowers, adopting pets from the Macoupin County Animal Control, making new furry friends at a petting zoo or having their faces painted.

There were plenty of seasonal treats as well, including the Brooms’ popular homemade caramel apples and new apple cider doughnuts, which immediately became big hits. The local soccer club was additionally on site hosting a cookout.

A total of 25 vendors participated in this year’s event.

The Brooms’ annual Pumpkin Festival was still a couple of weeks away. However, visitors didn’t have to wait, for the patch was already ripening with an array of many sizes, shapes and colors that were ready for harvesting.

 

 

“This was an awesome weekend with great fall-like weather…lots of families celebrating the harvest and spending time on the grounds enjoying themselves,” said Lisa Broom.

Lisa, along with her husband, Jeff, and other family members, make up a third generation of apple growers.

The 123-acre orchard, located in Carlinville, was established in 1920 by Leonard Sooy. The orchard remained in the Sooy family until 1968 when it was purchased by William and Joan Broom.

The orchard changed its emphasis to retail apples sales beginning in the 1970s. In 1980, the Brooms purchased a press that was used to produce their locally-owned cider. In 1995, William and Joan sold the orchard to Jeff and Lisa, who built a new retail farm market.

The Brooms hope to see another large turnout for their 34th Pumpkin Festival, which is scheduled for Sat., Oct. 12 and Sun., Oct. 13.

For more information plus other upcoming events and history, visit the Broom Orchard website at broomorchard.com and the business’ Facebook page at Broom Orchard.

For more photos, see the October 3rd edition of the Macoupin County Enquirer~Democrat!