Michigan is the third-largest producer of apples in the United States, and is home to over 100 cider mills that families enjoy visiting each year.
Every fall, countless families flock to cider mills and apple orchards to spend time together and enjoy the activities these places offer. It is a tradition in many families to visit a cider mill at least once a year.
Business administration freshman Jackson Altwies is one student who grew up going to cider mills every year with his family.
“Growing up, we went at least once or twice every year,” Altwies said. “They had certain activities like log rides, train rides and big slides where you go through a tube, and also a corn maze.”
Aside from showing how apple cider is made, most cider mills offer a variety of family-focused activities for both kids and adults to enjoy.
A popular activity at many cider mills includes eating warm donuts served with apple cider, usually made fresh on site.
“The best part is the apple cider and the warm cinnamon donuts you get when you’re done,” Altwies said.
Going to a cider mill is one way that many families take advantage of the cooling weather and color-changing trees in the fall.
“I think it’s an easy thing to bond over, and it’s just a fun and simple thing to do,” Altwies said. “You feel like you’re a young kid again.”
One interesting part of cider mills for many people is getting to see the process of making apple cider from start to finish.
Graphic media management senior Drew Gendron-Wesley enjoyed looking back at the learning experience that was offered during his trip.
“I saw tons of apples get put into a big metal thing, then watched it get pressed and the juice come out, so literally seeing the process of it being made,” Gendron-Wesley said. “I thought it was really exciting.”
Although Gendron-Wesley didn’t go to cider mills regularly growing up, it is easy for him to see why it’s such a popular tradition in some families.
“It’s something to do during the transition seasons, like from summer to winter,” Gendron-Wesley said. “So just being able to go out and experience the weather before it gets bad is something fun to do.”
Visiting cider mills each year is popular in American culture, particularly in the Northeast and Midwest regions of the United States. However, some cultures don’t typically take part in this fall activity.
Freshman dental hygiene major Adeline Monarrez comes from two cultures where visiting cider mills isn’t a popular fall activity.
“I’m mixed, I’m Mexican and Nigerian, but our cultures don’t really do that, though,” Monarrez said.
Despite not having visited a cider mill herself, Monarrez reflected on why she thinks it’s a popular activity as the weather cools down.
“I feel like, especially in Michigan, with all our apple orchards and all that, fall here is beautiful,” Monarrez said. “I think that gives people a really good reason to go out.”
Cider mills can be an exciting endeavor each year for families across Michigan, and are a tradition that many students enjoyed growing up.
Although not all students have gotten the chance to visit a cider mill, they can still appreciate the fall tradition and spend time with loved ones.
There are several cider mills located within a couple of hours of Big Rapids, including Uncle John’s Cider Mill, Robinette’s Apple Haus & Winery and The Fruitful Orchard and Cider Mill.
Getting to witness the process of cider making and spending time as a family is a great way for students to soak up the changing weather.