Celebration of Autumn at Chiles Orchard
Chiles Peach Orchard, located in Crozet, has been a family owned orchard for the last 100 years. This scenic orchard, has just ended its eighth year of “Fall Into Fun Festival,” which celebrates the change of season. This was a great event for adults who wanted to enjoy a calm day out with their friends, teenagers, older couples, and families with young children. Though, this festival is not big or well known, it had a nice small-town charm to it.
The Fall Into Fun Festival lasted two days; Saturday, Sept. 21 and Sunday 22 of This event offered a variety of activities. Both days, events consisted of apple picking, wagon rides, face painting, and Uncle Dave’s Kettle Corn. Uniquely, Saturday offered an apple butter making demonstration, while Sunday offered the Walnut Ridge Boys, a band from the Shenandoah Valley, who stopped by to play their distinctive style of Bluegrass music. Behind the market, wine and Bold Rock were provided as well.
Though, the orchard itself is quite small, the wagon ride was a very successful attraction because the orchard is located right at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains which provided a picturesque view.
The wagon ride was especially popular for families with small children because the children loved watching the apples and pumpkins slowly drifted by them, and the ride itself really seemed to calm the children. However, the wagon ride wasn’t just for families with young children. Anyone who wanted to enjoy more of the view could climb aboard for a ride.
Those who visit this incredibly scenic orchard should stop inside the market to check out the variety of goods,; most of which are produced at the orchard. Before leaving, visitors should stop by the snack counter, located inside of the market, to try their homemade ice cream and milkshakes.
The most popular items seem to be the freshly made peach and strawberry milkshakes because most of the ingredients come right from the orchard.
Throughout most of the year, Chiles Peach Orchard is open to the public seven days a week. Anyone interested should definitely check out this smaller, not as well-known orchard.
