This 54-year-old family apple orchard offers pick-your-own pumpkins and flowers and a country store. The 14th annual Apple Festival is Oct. 17-18 from 8:30 to 6, with live bluegrass, free hayrides, a petting zoo, crafts, food, children's games and pony rides, requiring fees. The orchard holds its eighth annual gourd festival, featuring gourd artisans, on Nov. 7 and 8. Mondays-Saturdays 8:30 to 6, Sundays 10 to 6. 6410 Middle Rd, Middletown. 540-869-1455 or www.richardsfruitmarket.com.

Varieties most likely available for picking now through about mid-October include Golden Delicious and Red Delicious, followed by Idared, York and Fujis about Oct. 1. Pick-your-own pumpkins also are available. The 14th annual Apple Festival is Oct. 20 from 8:30 to 6 and Oct. 21 from 10 to 6, with live bluegrass, free hayrides, a petting zoo, crafts, food, children's games and pony rides, requiring fees. Other fall activities include country picnic on Sept. 22 and Gourd Festival Nov. 3-4.

-- Mary Jane Solomon (September 2007)

This 54-year-old family apple orchard offers pick-your-own pumpkins and flowers and a country store. The 14th annual Apple Festival is Oct. 20 from 8:30 to 6 and Oct. 21 from 10 to 6, with live bluegrass, free hayrides, a petting zoo, crafts, food, children's games and pony rides, requiring fees. The orchard holds its sixth annual gourd festival, featuring gourd artisans, Nov. 3 from 8:30 to 5:30 and Nov. 4 from 10 to 5:30. Free, but fees for classes.