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Apple Fest begins this weekend

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Jaxsyn Anderson, 2, of Humboldt, picks out a pumpkin during Apple Fest on Sunday at The Community Orchard.

The beginning of October brings with it Apple Fest at the Community Orchard in Fort Dodge.

Starting this Saturday and Sunday, and running for the following two weekends, all are invited to embark on food, fun and adventure. The orchard is owned and operated by Denny and Emily Stucky, and located at 2237 160th St.

Among the new additions to the event are a five-acre “Amazing Bee” theme corn maze and a 150-foot long super mega slide and gaga ball pit. The maze is only open weekends and costs $8 per person.

“It offers multiple levels of difficulty for different ages,” Stucky said. “There are also activities throughout the maze.”

Now in their second season of running the orchard, Stucky believes keeping the tradition of Apple Fest going is “very important.”

“We have heard so many stories of our guests coming for years and how much they enjoy it,” she said. “We love seeing all of the customers and hearing where they travel from, as well as we remember going as young kids ourselves.”

The market and Apple Attic are open weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Back 40 play area is open weekends from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with cafe hours being 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day.

Apple Fest hours are each weekend from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Back 40 will close for the season on Oct. 31 with the rest staying open until Dec. 23.

Stucky said they plan to continue to “explore ways of making the community orchard a place where friends, family and local businesses can gather and enjoy a meal or one of our desserts” going forward.

“As far as during Apple Fest, we are looking to attempt a haunted corn maze or an annual pumpkin launching competition,” she said.

More information can be found online at www.communityorchard.com.

Starting at $2.99/week.

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