(WWJ) -- The votes are in and The Big Apple has been crowned!
After narrowing it down from 32 of Michigan’s most popular cider mills and orchards, WWJ listeners have voted Wiard's Orchards & Country Fair in Ypsilanti Township as the state’s top location for cider, donuts, and overall fall fun.
Wiard's Orchards was founded by George Wiard in 1837, and is the oldest continually owned family-business in Michigan.
Originally located on Wiard Road near what is now Willow Run Airport, the u-pick apple orchard, cider mill, vinegar mill and vineyards operated in that area until the 1940s.
Then, during World War II, construction began on the bomber plant at Willow Run, and Wiard's was moved to its current location in Ypsilanti Township.
Over the next several decades, Wiard's saw many expansions, adding a farm which was eventually turned into the current Country Store and Bakery in the 1960s, serving up "old-fashioned goodies and delicious cider mill Michigan donuts and pies."
Around that same time, the Wiard's cider mill was built, and its pumpkin fields were added. The 1980s saw the installation of the Country Fair agri-entertainment complex, and eventually, the Wiard’s Company Picnics facilities were put into place.
As Wiard's continued to expand through the early aughts, they added a variety of programming, including Wiard Miniature Golf, hayride trails and expanded orchards, and “Night Terrors,” the largest haunted thrill park in Michigan.
After selling a portion of their property to Washtenaw County Parks in 2006, Wiard's eventually redesigned and rebuilt the Country Fair on the north side of Merritt Road in 2007, which allowed visitors to enjoy all the fall activities and attractions they'd come to known and love from a central location.
"Striving to meet the needs of our customers, many changes and improvements have been made by seven generations of the Wiard family and each year we continue that tradition," the website reads . "Today, there are 3 generations of the Wiard family actively working in the operation with the 8th generation in tow; eating apples, visiting with staff and enjoying the farm."
"Currently the apple orchard and cider mill cover nearly 100 acres with many diversified operations, including the Cider Mill, Country Store, u-pick apples and pumpkins, Country Fair, corn maze, field trips, company picnics, school trips, birthday parties, evening hayrides, Night Terrors and much more!"
Over the past 187 years, Wiard's Orchards has been a mainstay of the Metro Detroit region, providing delicious treats and great memories to generations of Michiganders.
Wiard's has become a fall tradition beloved by so many, and we are glad to crown them The Big Apple of WWJ’s 2024 Mill Madness tournament!
Visit Wiard's Orchards & Country Fair this fall at 5565 Merritt Road in Ypsilanti Charter Township, and check out our map of the Top 32 Michigan cider mills that were submitted for the Mill Madness bracket by WWJ listeners:
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