Over 1,000 children decorated pumpkins Oct. 14 at Delicious Orchards’ Pumpkin Fest.
Photo courtesy Fred Walsifer/ Delicious Orchards
y Allison Perrine | aperrine@tworivertimes.com
COLTS NECK – People came out by the thousands to celebrate another year of Delicious Orchards’ Pumpkin Fest Monday, Oct. 14.
The fall festive event is held annually on Columbus Day and is free of charge to anyone who would like to attend. Previously the farm was closed on Columbus Day, but officials said they received an “overwhelming” number of requests from customers to have Delicious Orchards be open that day, as many have off from work or school.
“If we’re going to open, let’s open big and have a party,” recalled Michael McDonald, vice president at Delicious Orchards, on the decision to open up for business and have a Pumpkin Fest.
Now, the event allows visitors to enjoy a variety of games, crafts, local food samples from about 10 different vendors, and live music. Antique tractors are also on display each year to add to the rustic fall tone in the air. Over a thousand children painted and decorated pumpkins this year, the most to date at the Pumpkin Fest, said McDonald. “It’s a ton of fun. We love it, it’s one of my favorite days of the year,” he said.
Pumpkin Fest also offered pumpkin bowling, balloon animals, live animals such as rabbits, chickens and goats, temporary tattoos and pumpkin ring toss, with proceeds benefitting Fulfill, formerly the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties. The total amount raised for Fulfill has not yet been determined, McDonald said.
Delicious Orchards is located on Route 34 in Colts Neck. Since its opening in 1911, the property has grown to 110 acres. The business started with Carroll W. Barclay taking over the operation after World War II and three generations of the Barclay family have managed the operation since then. Today over 2.5 million visitors stop by Delicious Orchards each year.
According to McDonald, this is also the time of year that Delicious Orchards has various other offerings for its customers, “whether it’s over 20 varieties of apples, apple cider donuts, fresh-pressed apple cider, pies or produce as far as the eye can see.” The farm now offers live music on the weekends for visitors to enjoy while they eat on the patio. “We never want to stop improving the D.O. experience,” he said.
The fall season is a large part of the business’ year and always has been. But representatives are finding that more and more shoppers visit weekly year-round than before. “I think they come and try us in the fall and get hooked,” said McDonald.
Photo courtesy Fred Walsifer/ Delicious Orchards
Apple cider donuts and pies are staples at Delicious Orchards and are always popular sellers. Tens of thousands of pies are sold each fall, and apple and pumpkin pies tend to be the favorites each year, McDonald said. But so far apple is a little bit ahead in 2019, though there’s still plenty of time for pumpkin pie lovers to even the score. “For the week of Thanksgiving alone we will sell 50,000 pies,” he said. “We all work pretty hard that week.”
The apple cider donuts are made fresh each day with the best ingredients. “Mix that with some love and our secret D.O. recipes, and you have something special,” said McDonald.
The property houses a 60,000-square-foot retail market space that specializes in fresh fruits and vegetables, according to the company. It offers customers baked goods made from scratch, including its donuts and pies. The market also sells meats and cheeses at its deli as well as prepared foods.
The business has set itself apar t since 1911 because of its quality, McDonald said. “We genuinely care about what we do here and our customers know that.” He also said being a family-run business makes a difference; “and not just our immediate family, so many of our employees have been here for 20, 30 even 40 years.”
Employees of the popular farm and country food market are always thinking about new fun things to do for their customers. “But as for new lines or expansions? People will have to wait and see!” McDonald said.
