Squeezing into Fall: Apples!
/September is a transitional month—shifting from summer to fall and from summer break to school. We're not quite fully launched into pumpkins (although you might find a pumpkin spice latte already), but we are ready to leave strawberries and watermelon behind.
Cue the apples. Apples are here to help with the transition.
Set down your lemonade, and grab a delicious cider. Here in the Pacific Northwest, we are lucky to have apples locally for picking, squeezing, and playing. You can do so many fun activities with apples. Make September all about apples!
Curran Apple Orchard
Casually pick some apples at Curran Apple Orchard in University Place. Everyone is invited to a Community Harvest Day on Sunday, August 27, from 10am to 4pm. After the event, the orchard is open for public picking from designated trees. Remember to bring along a bucket or basket for all apples!
Event: August 27, 2023 | 3920 Grandview Dr W, University Place, WA 98466 | website
Fort Nisqually Harvest Festival
Take a step back into history with some traditional harvest festival activities at Fort Nisqually. They have a cider press for squeezing the many apples grown on the museum’s own orchard. The apple trees were grafted from the apple trees planted back in 1843! There will be other activities as well like building a scarecrow, decorating the hock cart, and the the crowning of the Harvest King and Queen. Be sure to buy your tickets; it sounds like a great time!
Event: September 9, 2023 11am - 5pm | Fort Nisqually, 5519 Five Mile Dr, Tacoma | website
Steilacoom Apple Squeeze
The famed Steilacoom Apple Squeeze is happening on October 1st from 10am to 4 pm in our quaint southernly neighbor.
The squeeze is a street fair and apple-pressing bonanza. You can have the chance to use hand-operated presses to make your very own cider or buy a gallon. There are also kids' activities, live music, and apple treats like apple cider floats. Just be sure to get in line early for the presses!
Event: October 1, 2023 10am - 4pm | 1700 Lafayette St, Steilacoom, WA 98388 | website
Meeker Mansion Cider Squeeze
Another chance to check out an apple squeeze is in Puyallup at the Meeker Mansion Cider Squeeze. This event happens in front of the historic Meeker Mansion on Saturday, October 14th from 10am to 3pm.
Event: October 14, 2023 | 312 Spring Street, Puyallup, WA 98372 | website
Lattin's Cider Mill and Farm
Let's say you want to eat an apple donut and drink some cider while petting some animals. Head down to Lattin's Cider Mill and Farm in Olympia. They are open daily except Sundays, but give them a buzz before heading out, as hours can vary.
Event: Seasonal Location | 9402 Rich Rd SE, Olympia, WA 98501 | website
Apples at Home
While there's no shortage of apple events here in Tacoma, you can always enjoy apples at home, too.
Kids love to play with apples. We own an apple peeler and corer tool, which is always a hit with our boys. You stick the apple on the pronged fork, then turn the handle to slice and core the apple. The end product is a twisty, spiraled apple ready to eat or use for baking.
Other at-home activities include making applesauce, running a taste test on apple colors or types, or painting the apples. You can also plop them in a bin and create an apple washing station. The kids will love it.
Toss aside those apple pouches and get some real apples to launch into fall.
