Edwards Apple Orchard

I was very pleased with the great job that was done on the renovation. We were their in early October and things looked "the same, but better" than before the tornado.

I would love to be able to order things to be shipped from Edwards. Any chance of that....or do I just need to load up on Cashew Crunch and Autumn Carmel Corn Nuggets once a year when I am up north?!

We absolutely love your place and look forward to coming every year. We were devastated to hear about the tornado, but after our visit yesterday we are so pleased with the rebuild. Better than ever. What a wonderful place to bring the family, something for everyone and no entry fee. We make a special trip just for the donuts. We are motorcyclists and we are especially pleased that you have assigned parking for the "Bikes". We do miss the dog. He was always in the driveway to greet the customers. We'll be back. Keep up the good work.
God Bless You

I've been going to Edward's for years. In January 2008, the farm buildings were devastated by a tornado. Fortunately, it appears that the orchard itself was spared any major damage. Edward's did what any successful business would do. It rebuilt, expanded, and launched itself back to supremacy in the industry. What a fantastic place to take your family! There is literally something for everybody at the country styled craft / gourmet food store. Showcasing the area's gourmet foods, home decor, petting zoo, antique vehicle barn and friendly helpful family oriented staff. Oh, did I forget to mention the hundreds of acres of delicious "you pick" apples? As I said before, the building were devastated by a tornado in '08. The new buildings are well designed, well lit, easy to maneuver through and look as if it has been around for a century. Good Job Edward's , God bless, and Good Luck to you!

Edwards Apple Orchard IS a busy place, but VERY well organized! There are plenty of check out lanes & it's very clean for a farming atmosphere! I like it's farm like atmosphere, without it being commercialized.

I was very disappointed on our first visit to the orchard. There was absolutely no sense of direction as to where to pick apples or pumpkins, how to pay, where to pet the animals etc. There was a line for everything and very few samples to try. I found the store very commercialized, something I would see at Cracker Barrel. The check out area was like an assembly line and not very friendly.Nothing very original. The jelly was very watery and some of the apples didn't look appealing at all for fresh apples. They had pre-made caramel apples that were small and already packaged plain or peanut. It was very sad to see this at an apple orchard.

Hey Picky Debbie P.... If you want to guarantee perfect apples maybe you should pick your own off the tree or stick to the grocery store and leave Edwards to the people who really appreciate it.

I think Edwards in their haste to reopen from their devastating losses, have let some of their quality control lapse. We recently bought several pecks of different types of apples and in both pecks there were 3-4 apples that were damaged or bruised.

In the past, this was never, ever the case. These apples would never have made it to the bags, but unfortunately they did and when they were cut into or bit into the damage to the apple was apparent.

I think going forward they might want to double check the quality of the apples put into the bags for purchase since the apples are their primary business.

When you go to Edwards Apple Orchard you have to spend the whole day there. It is so much fun. You get to pick apples, rasberries, corn and pumpkins.You also get to pet animals and ride ponies. It makes you feel very excited. You have to go to Edwards Apple Ochard to feel the wonderful experience for yourself.

Debbie, Debbie, Debbie, you are way too picky about a couple of bruised apples. If you can't stand to have a couple of damaged spots on your apples than you need to get on the wagon and ride out into the orchard and pick your own off of the trees. If your apple has a bruise or damaged spot just cut it off with a knife. If that is still to much for you to deal with, toss it outside and let an animal have it. Life is way to short for you to be crying about a couple of imperfect apples, so get over it and move on!

Shelley in Kenosha

I grew up around that area and have been going there as long as I can remember, I live up in Wisconsin now, and have never found anything close to Edwards Apple Orchard, so, we go down there every year in the fall and induldge in a little bit of everything so we can bring it back home and enjoy it for a while. There's a few things that I really miss not living down there. 1. Edwards Apple Orchard, 2. Fishers Potato Chips, 3. Beefaroo and Sam's Pizza. Can't even imitate any of those things up here. I live in Appleton, Wisconsin and inviting you to have an Edward's Apple Orchard North, this is such a "family orientated" town. Thank you for being there,Shari Wells

Your caramel corn nuggets are WONDERFUL. Unlike other caramel corns they are not tacky, or hard. You have just the right blends and textures. Do you have a web sight I can purchase this product from?

We're just moved back to Illinois and i am excited to bring my children to the place where i used to go every year growing up, and Im so happy to know they're still there. Picking pumpkins off the vine, jonagolds, home made cider, jellies, and fudge, feeding the goats :) I just hope the kids love it as much as i do.

I have been waiting for the season to come where we can get out to Edwards.
We didn't make it last year and were sad when the disaster happened. But now we are ready to go and get all the great things we love. We will be taking our 1 year old there for the first time.
Can't wait to taste the apple cider and warm donuts!
Edwards is a joy you have to do every year!

We visited Edwards this past weekend (Labor Day 2008) and they have reopened! They have expanded the barn area and updated their facilities. This was my first trip there, so I cannot compare it to previous years, but they seem ready for business. It wasn't quite time for pick your own, so we will be back later this fall.

Ive been taking ;my family to Edwards for over 30years. We've been to several others over the years but none can measure up.We always make our 2 or 3 trips too our favorite fall spot, and of course we tell everyone about it!! Thank you Edwards for the wonderful memory making! Linda Smith, Aurora IL.

This is the very best place to get family together at harvest time. Their store contained a lot of local cheeses and sausages. Their donuts were world class and so was their cider. Lets band together and get them up and running by fall. Nominate them for extreme makeover!

for many years i have visited the orchard. it was always a relaxing treat to go there. when i heard about the tornado i was devestated; now i wont be able to take friends and family to the one place i loved going. there has got to be something we can do. i thought about it for long and how about we audition them for extreme makeover home edition. in a way its a home to all of us and the family that owns the orchard. whos in it?

I was extremely saddened when my son called me from Machesney Park to tell me about the orchard. I was in town in September for one my daughters' wedding and we took all the grandkids out to the orchard between the wedding and the reception. Fancy clothes and all! Had a great time as always. I live in Irving Texas now and don't always get to come up when they are open but my kids always freeze some cider and some doughnuts for me to have at Christmas. I love it. I have always had a special connection to the orchard because when I was in school at North Boone I helped plant the trees when they first decided to become an orchard. This has always been something I have been proud of. I know you will rebuild and make it as nice as it was. I don't think you could make it any better than it was. I'm glad no one was hurt. Good luck and I'll be looking forward to my next visit. Don Griffis D.C.

I love this apple orchard and everything about it. Whether just stopping in for a dozen doughnuts or a bag of apples you cannot beat it. When I heard the tornado struck the orchard I was so heartsick, even thinking about it now makes me cry. I hope and deep in my heart I know you will be able to rebuild and come out of this even better (if that is possible) than before. Your family and employees are in my thoughts and prayers every day. A loyal customer.

I hope someone from Edwards is watching this. You and us go back to graduation at N. Boone, 1973.

A good, ol' fashion barn raising is a great idea !! The barn was the BIG draw. Rebuild a good, 'ol fashioned barn.

Clint

My Mom and I are from Raleigh, North Carolina and we visit your apple orchard at least once a year. My Aunt Sharon Semple lives in Cherry Valley and introduced us to your wonderful orchard a few year ago. Our thoughts and prayers are will you as you deal with the loss of you orchard. We are so grateful that no one was hurt. We wish you the best as you re-build!!!

Our thoughts and prayers, from myself and the entire Quig family, are with you during these difficult times. I was horrified to here the news yesterday! However, I am very happy to hear that no one was hurt. You are a wonderful family, and I miss seeing you at the orchard conventions. I hope you guys can pull through this. As if farming isn't hard enough as it is! Hang in there, and know we are thinking about you.
Pam Quig Berek,
Reno, Nevada

I'm originally from Roscoe and have been going to Edwards since we moved to the area in 1980. Now my husband and I drive up at least once every season from Chicago to take our two young sons to enjoy what has become a family tradition. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help.

Julie D.
Chicago, IL

It is a family tradition every fall to visit the orchard. We are from Loves Park and we love spending the day with the kids letting them play, pick apples, shop and eat your delicious treats. Best of all is the donuts! We have many memories and pictures of our trips and I hope to continue many more years to come. Best wishes to your family and the long road in front of you and I hope to see you this fall. I know that you will overcome this tragedy and be the best apple orchard that we all love.

Julia W.

Dear Barb and Ken,
Just a note of concern and also relief that there were no major injuries yesterday. Our prayers are with you and your family and we hope you will be able to rebuild.
We always have enjoyed the cider and doughnuts that my folks would bring down to us when they visited before they retired, and the few trips we made up there when our girls were small.
Sincerely, Joe & Janet McLay
Sherman, Il

Thank you for your concern and prayers. Visit edwardsorchard.info for Edwards Orchard updates as recovery begins. - Poplar Grove United Methodist Church

I couldn't believe my ears and eyes when I heard about the devastation caused by the tornadoes. I actually worked there as a teenager way back in the late 70's! I remember Barb and Mike (sorry I can't remember all of you Edwards) and my heart goes out to you. You will be in my prayers!

We love Edward's! What a great family! Glad to hear everyone got out safe. If you need any volunteers to help rebuild, let us know! :) You're in our prayers.

Our family has been going to Edward's Apple Orchard every Fall for over ten years. It is a place we all enjoy going very much. We are very thankful that no one was hurt in the tornado. If there is an opportunity for pulic help in rebuilding, we would love to help!

Good Luck and God Bless!

Michelle Giuffre
Naperville, IL

As many people have expressed, Edwards Orchard is a long standing tradition each fall. It was sad to see the damage that happened yesterday but I am so happy to hear that no-one was hurt and the orchard trees were spared. I have great confidence that things will be rebuilt and if you are looking for help please let the public know so we can pitch in also. I live about 20 miles away and it is never fall until we come and visit your place. Thank you!

As a child I cherished our trips to the orchard. There hasn't been a year in my memory that hasn't included a visit to Edward's. If the orchard needs community help to rebuild, I will be there helping any way possible. I look forward to taking my children again, and again.

I've been all over the U.S., and several places around the world, and I cannot think of a better family place for the Fall. Our family would be very sad indeed if we had no Edward's Apple Orchard in the future. Many, many great memories in just the couple of years that we've been going. We visit a few times every week during the season. Ironically, my wife and daughters ate the last bag of donuts that we had frozen just yesterday. Our prayers are with you, and we will help where we can.

I was reading the previous post and there was a mention of someone helping if there is a rebuild effort well that person has brought forth a great Jaycees project and we can use the communities help. Lets work together to rebuild Edward's Apple Orchard making it better and maybe even bigger then before.

I hope that you can rebuild your dream from the tornado today. My family visits you every year and look forward to your annual newsletter. I am glad everyone is safe...including the dog. I hope that all the annual visitors will be able to enjoy your awesome orchard again this fall. I truly sorry for your loss. If there are community wide rebuild efforts, I would gladly help.

The Orchard will be able to come back as I heard it was destroyed by the tornado that hit Poplar Grove today.

Hopefully everyone is okay and everyone is safe.

What a surprise. Today, 11-07-2007, my wife and I went to Edwards for a few apples. We bought some red delicious and granny smith apples. The granny smiths were great. The red delicious were terrible. They must have been picked years ago as they were as soft as apple sauce. Either maybe they were shipped in or were not stored properly. I have had apples from here before and they were crisp and tasty, but not this year.

I JUST HAVE TO SAY THE APPLES ARE THE MOST JUICES AND DELICIOUS, AND THE PEOPLE THE WORKS THERE IS VERY FRIENDLY , BEEN COMING TO EDWARDS APPLE ORCHARD FOR YEARS I HAVE GREAT MEMORIES OF THIS PLACE. BEST APPLES, BEST PIE AND DEFINITELY BEST DONUT'S.

I am in my forties now and I started going to Edwards for school field trips. To me, it is the ultimate apple orchard experience, and now that I live away from Poplar Grove, I get homesick for Edwards every October! I have lived all over the US, and this is hands down the best. I took my kids there, foreign visitors there, friends from Chicago and further afield there -- all of them raved about those fabulous cider donuts and the cider and the apples...

Poplar Grove has changed to accommodate the crowds that flood Edwards every fall - try some of the other wonderful farm-oriented attractions nearby, like the Pumpkin Patch or Lane's or the Wings and Wheels Museum.

Each year the orchard gets better and better. Prices are very reasonable and they've managed to grow gracefully to serve their never ending customer base. Employees always have a smile for you, no matter how crazy it is out there. Barb, Becky and Suzi are always so cheerful and whether they really remember me or not, they always make me feel like I'm their favorite guest. Too bad they couldn't be open longer...

I am 18 years old and have attended the Apple orchard for 18 year never missing one even as a baby. This place is a comfy little family owned orchard/tourist attraction. Kids always seem to have a blast. And everyone has to ring their bell at least once. It sets off the trip. This year I will be taking my boyfriend and introducing him to the family tradition. The cider, the donuts, the apple butter, delicious apples, and the amazingly tasty raspberries. completely recommend it for a perfect family outing to set of the fall season in spirit.

we just visited this orchard this past weekend...there is plenty to do there and the kids had a ball. The pony rides are now 3 bucks a kid and the wagon rides I believe are also 3 bucks a person so it can get expensive but there is enough to do that you do not need to pay for those things.

go you will enjoy it.

I love love love this apple orchard. I make the effort to go several times during the season. The cider donuts and the homade fudge...to die for. Never is there a shortage of things to do. There's a petting zoo,play ground,mini maze fort the young ones,pony rides, and horse drawn wagon ride. Then there's the gift items and gormet food items...YUM!!! If you have a chance make the trek. I promise you will not be sorry. Dont forget to pick your own...apples, raspberries, and even pumpkins when is season.

PROS: Lots to do at reasonable prices, Very family oriented
CONS: A little tight on space for wheel chairs.

We live in Wisconsin, but we make sure whenever we are in the area visiting family we stop at Edwards. The apple cider donuts are to die for. Great entertainment for families.

We have made Edward's part of our fall family tradition for the past 7 years, and plan to for years to come! We spend a afternoon picking apples, walking visit the petting zoo and the kids ride the ponies and the wagon ride. Their selection of specialty foods and snacks is wonderful (and we always love the samples of everything) No trip is complete without a dozen of their apple cider donuts! And this year we even tried their "pick you own pumpkin" and that was an afternoon of fun too! I am lucky that we live close enough to visit often on the weekdays, it does get crazy there on the weekends! It is definately worth the crowd though. We have friends who drive all the way from Naperville every year to spend an afternoon at the orchard with us!

PROS: Fun atmosphere, delicious apples (and DONUTS!) so close to home.
CONS: The only con is the crowds! It's still worth it though!

Plan on spending the afternoon at this orchard as there is lots to do. You can take a hayride, visit the animals at the petting zoo, pick your own apples, pumpkins, and raspberries. The food is very tasty, particularly the pie and warm cinnamon and cider donuts. Don't forget to visit the store.

PROS: petting zoo is free
CONS: very crowded the first few weekends after opening for the season

This year was the first year that I was able to go to the orchard since I moved here 5 years ago. I wish I would have gone sooner. The location is great. The gift shop resembles the one in Cracker Barrel. You can watch the cider being made, as well as select pecks of freshly picked apples, get fresh, warm donuts (my favorite), and carmel apples. Totally worth the drive out of town. Try the Honey Crisp apples.. simply unreal.

Great shop out in the middle of nowhere. You'll find fresh fruit in season and lots of gift items. There is even a petting zoo in the back for the kids. If you go, make sure to visit the lower level for the apple pie. It is the best I've ever tasted. You can have it heated with cheddar cheese, ice creame or both! If you go, take cash or checks as they don't take credit cards. However, they do have an ATM right there.

This is a local fall-time family tradition. You just can't beat a trip to Edwards. Do not leave without eating an Apple Cider Donut! Trust me! You can pick your own apples, or just buy by the peck. They tend to be more than the grocery, but the experience is worth it. The Honey Crisp apples are the best and go out early. Tends to be crowded on weekends, best to take an afternoon off!

PROS: FUN for the whole family
CONS: Crowded weekends

We always look forward to fall, and our family visit to Edwards Apple Orchard. Their apples are always fresh, and the apple cider and apple cider donuts are a must. In the Apple barn you can watch and see how the cider is made. They also have a small farm museum, pony rides and hay rides out to pick your own apples. Its a great fall tradition that we always look forward to and are never disappointed. Be sure and try to visit during the week, as weekends can be very crowded.

PROS: Smells great, tastes even better
CONS: Can be crowded on weekends