Wickham Farms Honey Crisp Apple Festival

Warmth blanketed the day as a frenzy of children bounce on a giant yellow bouncing pillow while their parents mingle around the perimeter. The leaves had not yet started to change in color. Honey Crisp apples and the excitement of the oncoming fall season brought the masses to Wickham Farm for their annual Honey Crisp Apple Festival.

RIT student, Stella Haberman, picking honey crisp apples at Wickham Farms. Photo by Brinna Dochniak

Mackenzie Sherriff, a resident of Penfield, brings her children to Wickham at least once every fall. “Wickham Farms is just such a great place for families to spend the afternoon. I try to bring my daughters here at least once every fall; more if we can make it work. They love to see the animals and of course jump on the bounce pillow,” said Sherriff.

Wickham Farm is open seven days a week from May through October. Everyday attractions including a corn maze, batting caging and miniature golf are available every day. Along with these consistent attractions, special events like the Honey Crisp Apple and Pumpkin festivals are held to draw in more people on weekends.

Judy Valachovic, an officer worker at the farm, said in an email interview: “​Some of the extra measures we need to take when planning special events are: extra entertainment/activities & cost (trebuchet, face painting, pony rides), free activities for guests (fiddlers, juggler, chainsaw carving), marketing and getting the word out in a variety of ways, need for extra preparation and extra staffing, and increased ordering.” ​

For Wickham Farms, October weekends are their busiest times. Holding events on September weekends is helpful for business because it draws in a larger crowd that is more comparable to the busier October weekends.

“It’s always fun to check out the festivals they hold here,” Sherriff continued, “they are always so well put together and bring an extra element of fun to the experience.”

Pumpkin selection at Wickham Farm. Photo by Brinna Dochniak.

As there are many other farms in the area where people can apple pick and pumpkin search, Wickham sets itself apart from the rest.

“We do not have an admission fee. Anyone is welcome to enjoy our farm without needing to spend money to enter,” Valachovic explained. “Our activities can all be purchased individually. We have delicious donuts, cider, pumpkins and u-pick apples! We also have a 450-member Community Supported Agriculture Harvest Share program... and growing!”

The “u-pick” apple orchard is located just down the road from all the activities at Wickham.

Megan Andersen, a college student at Brockport, said, “This is my first time here, and it is so cute. I love apple picking, and this is the perfect place to do it!”

Whether the leaves are green or multicolored, Wickham Farm is always buzzing with fun fall activities for families and friends. Head to Wickham for fall fun filled with apples or pumpkins every weekend before the snow falls.