Report by Paula Antolini
October 1, 2017 8:14PM EDT
Photo: The 2017 pumpkin patch at Blue Jay Orchards in Bethel, CT.
Bethel’s Blue Jay Orchards was Bustling with Activity This Weekend
As the cooler weather drifts into the New England area, people seek fall activities and ingredients for baking and holiday meals, such as apple picking and a search for pumpkins at Blue Jay Orchards in Bethel, CT.
Residents and out-of-towners enjoyed roaming in the pumpkin fields with their children, searching for the perfect holiday pumpkin, or climbing aboard the John Deer tractor set out in front with steps to easily climb up. There are also scenic orchard wagon rides on weekends only, 10 – 5:00 p.m., $4 per person.
Photo: The Vannucci family from Brookfield, CT enjoys sitting on the John Deere tractor at Blue Jay Orchards farm on Saturday, September 30, 2017.
The farm market is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (no pets allowed) and also sells fresh baked pies, apple cider, jams and jellies apple cider vinegar, soup mixes and those “famous” apple cider donuts.
You can pick your own apples daily, 9 to 5 p.m. at Blue Jay Orchards This weekend, September 30 – October 1, was Cortland, Gala, September Fugi, Macoun, Janagold and the final weekend for Macintosh.
Future pick-your-own varieties dates are approximate and varieties are subject to weather for ripening. The weekend of October 7-8-9, Columbus Day Weekend, will be Ida Red, Jonagold, and Empire Cortland. October 14-15 will be Jonagold, Ida Red, Braeburn, and Granny Smith.
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Blue Jay Orchards
125 Plumtrees Rd.
Bethel CT, 06801
(203) 748-0119
BLUEJAYORCHARDSCT@GMAIL.COM
Blue Jay Orchards is a picturesque 140 acre farm nestled in the quaint New England town of Bethel, Connecticut. It is one of the very few remaining commercial orchards in Fairfield County,The farm’s history as a modern orchard dates back to 1934 when Mr. Josephy brought a farm house and 50 acres from Elizabeth Weed. The Weed family had owned the farm for many years. Over the next 50 years the farm expanded from 50 acres to it’s current size 122 acresMr. Josephy also sold the land development rights to the State of Connecticut. Blue Jay Orchards was the first farm to be preserved as farm land in the State. Mr. Josephy owned the farm until its sale to the present owners, Paul and Mary Patterson, in 1985. A large part of the Patterson’s satisfaction with purchasing Blue Jay Orchards was that they were playing a part in preserving New England’s heritage for future generations to enjoy.
Come to Blue Jay Orchards for a visit, and you’ll see what we meant!
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