Fall is fast approaching, and as the seasons change, so does the changing of the guard at the apple orchard at 61475 Silver Lake Road.
Gone are the signs from former owner Erwin Orchards, soon to be replaced by signs from Blake’s Lyon Township.
The orchard’s new moniker comes courtesy of owner Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill, which has added the 104-acre property to its portfolio and will open to the public on August 20, with a grand opening celebration “weekend of welcome” scheduled for August 27. 28.
“We are very excited,” said Andrew Blake, president of Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill. “We’ve been looking to become a part of the community there for a long time and we’re excited to start this year and continue to make investments for generations to come. It’s been a long time coming.”
Steve Carraway, facilities manager at Blake’s, was busy in the orchard on a sunny morning a little more than a week before opening. The changes include renovations to the cider mill, including new interior and exterior paint, new epoxy floors, and new electrical systems, including the building’s exterior lanterns.
Nearby, a building formerly used as an employee break room will be converted into new retail space, reducing long lines outside the cider mill.
Around the corner he points to two new lockers that will be installed as well as a new area for goats.
The animals haven’t arrived yet, but the petting zoo will be back, and the children’s area will be back, or the “fun land” that Carraway knows from the other Blake farms in Armada and Almont. Fun for the kids will include three bounce houses.
A fence that will divide the recreation ground from a beer garden that will have a tap trailer has yet to be erected.
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Most of the changes this year revolve around bringing to Lyon Township all the delicious treats and drinks that are Blake’s mainstays. This will feature 32 varieties of hard cider and wine in a pop-up experience, including some of their biggest hits including Triple Jam, American Apple, Peach Party, Caramel Apple Cider and more.
Food truck vendors will also be coming, starting with the celebration weekend, including Italian dogs, tacos and Motor City Dogs – festive, fun and gourmet hot dogs.
There will also be live music on the weekends, Andrew Blake said.
“We’re going to put on fun local acts that people will enjoy,” he said. “Classic rock, country and folk music is a good vibe.”
Blake adds that everything will remain “really affordable for families,” as they want the entire community to experience what Blake’s has to offer.
He also hopes to expand access to the 104 acres Blake bought from Lombardo Homes after the developer’s original deal to buy the Erwins’ 181 acres.
Returning apple fans will also notice many things unchanged this season and find the 14 apple varieties they’ve enjoyed picking for years. In fact, they were all started by Bill Erwin, his latest crop, and it’s a good one. Andrew Blake said Michigan’s 2022 apple crop is the best in years. The orchard also has six additional apple varieties used for pressed cider.
Blake’s has retained all of the Erwin employees who wanted to return, which was the majority, Andrew Blake said, and will guide the orchard’s new owners this season.
“We want to see how things have worked historically before we make big changes to the operation,” he said. These changes in the coming years will include an event center, a tasting room and more.
“One of the things we have committed to is not to spoil a good thing and we know how good the experience has been. Our motto is ‘do no harm’ and learn what customers have come to expect and enjoy and have a graceful transition.”
Blake’s Lyon Township will be open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays Aug. 20-Oct. 31. Friday and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. from August 20 to October 31. The operation will be done throughout the year in the future. For more information, visit Blake’s South Lyon page at www.blakefarms.com.
Contact reporter Susan Bromley at sbromley@hometownlife.com or 517-281-2412. Follow her on Twitter @SusanBromley10.
