Eckert's Orchard in Belleville, Millstadt, and Grafton Illinois.

I cannot wait to go to Apple Fest!! What great fun and a perfect excuse to make an apple pie. If you haven't taken the kids you should! It's great fun for the whole family. And don't forget about all the other wonderful events they have the next few months.

SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER EVENTS:

September 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 & 30 
Apple Fest (Belleville, Grafton, Millstadt)
Wagon rides, music, live entertainment, great festival foods, children's activities and much more make this an apple pickin' good time for everyone! Whether riding a pony or feeding a goat, your young ‘uns will enjoy getting acquainted with common farm animals. Children's carnival and/or activities at all three farms. Funnel cakes, roasted sweet corn, caramel apples and more to tempt your taste buds. And, of course, there are plenty of apples to pick!

September 10 & 24 - 6:30pm
Bunko Night (Belleville)
An old-fashion game for all ages. Play Bunko at Eckert's Country Restaurant on the second and fourth Monday of each month. $5 per person includes game, prizes, beverages, and snacks. Open to the public. No reservation required. For more information call Eckert's Country Restaurant at (618) 233-0513 x. 139.

September 13
Wine Tasting - Blind Tasting (Belleville)
One of the best ways to learn about wine is to do a blind tasting. In this class we will bag all the wines we taste so they are remain unknown until we have a chance to compare our tasting notes. Once we have tasted each blind, we will remove the bags and reveal the names. This allows us to make fair judgments of the wine without preconceived ideas of value based on the label or brand. We will also have food available for pairings and decide which food goes best with each wine. This is guaranteed to be loads of fun and it is also lots of fun to do at home with friends. Space is limited. Event will take place from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. in the Country Store. $20.00/Person. Reservations are required, please call (618) 233-0513 to reserve your spot today!

September 21, 22, 28 & 29
Haunted Hayrides (Millstadt)
There's lots of ghoulish fun for young and old during this hayride through Eckert's haunted orchard. Haunted hayrides take place every Friday and Saturday night (after the sun goes down) through October 28th. Fee charged. For more information call Eckert's at (618) 233-0513.

September 22 & 23
Johnny Appleseed's Birthday (Grafton)
A speecial week-end is on hand in honor of Johnny Appleseed! Enjoy complementary birthday cake and Eckert's apple cider in honor of
Johnny's birthday. While you are enjoying your day have your picture taken with Johnny and enjoy listening to his story. A variety of "apple" activities will also take place. We iwll be featuring music by Russ Anderson live on the main stage. For more information please call 618-786-3445.

September 22 & 23
Scouting Weekend (Millstadt)
Enjoy a fun-filled day on the farm picking apples, visiting farm animals, and exploring the farm's exciting attractions. All Scouts in uniform will receive free admission to the Fun Farm.

September 27
Cooking Class - Fall Bounty (Belleville)
Relish in the bounty of the season and enjoy all of the wonderful crops this time of year brings including cooking with apples, squash and pumpkin to just name a few. Class will take place in Eckert's Country Store from 6 pm - 8 pm. $25/person. To make reservations, please call 618-233-0513.

September 29 & 30
"Farm"tastic Weekend (Grafton)
A fantastic weekend is planned or should i say a "Farmtastic" weekend at the Grafton location! We will be busy collecting hen eggs from our hen house, petting the rabbits, feeding the calf and pigs, not to mention to goats and turtles. This weekend is hands on for sure! We will also be roping a haybale calf and spitting watermelon seeds! "Whew wee" what a weekend! We will be featuring music by Russ Anderson on the main stage. For more information please call 618-786-3445.

September 29
Volksmarch (Belleville)
Join us for a leisurely walk through the orchard. 6K and 10K courses available. Registration is from 8 am until noon and over by 3 pm. Racers will begin in the Fun Corral area across from our Garden Center. The walk costs $3 per walker and is open to everyone and all ages are welcome. An adult must accompany children under the age of 12. Water and apple cider will be provided at the start and finish line. For more information please contact Eckert's at 618-233-0513.

October 8 & 23 - 6:30pm
Bunko (Belleville)
An old-fashion game for all ages. Play Bunko at Eckert's Country Restaurant on the second and fourth Monday of each month. $5 per person includes game, prizes, beverages, and snacks. Open to the public. No reservation required. For more information call Eckert's Country Restaurant at (618) 233-0513 x. 139.

October 11
Wine Tasting - Cellar of the Devil (Belleville)
Things get a little spooky around Eckert's this time of the year and our wine department is no exception. Casillero Del Diablo (Cellar of the Devil) is an exciting group of wines made by Concha y Toro in Chile. Don Melchor, founder of Concha y Toro always kept a secret stash of very complex red wine in a hidden spot in the caves of his winery. He discovered field workers helping themselves to this hidden treasure and fabricated a story about a devil who lived in the cave to keep the pillagers away. Now, Concha y Toro offers their more complex wines under this clever label. These are especially fun this time of the year because they have a little devil on the bottle, have great complexity and are generally on of the best values in the wine department with a retail price less than $10 per bottle. Space is limited. Event will takeplace from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. in the Country Restaurant. $15.00/Person. Reservations are required, please call (618) 233-0513 to reserve your spot today!

October 13 & 14
Pumpkin Chuck'n Contest (Grafton)
Fire it Up!! Your pumpkin Chuck'n cannon that is. It's back...the famous Eckert Orchard pumpkin Chuck'n Contest! Bring your air cannon, trebuchet or big ole sling shot and try your luck! Pre-registration is required. See our "Pumpkinator" up close and watch our Pumpkin Master fire our pumpkins a long, long way. Join us for our "Googely Gourd" weekend. Lots of hands on activities for kids and a few contests for adults! On October 13th come listen to the country music group Back in the Saddle and on October 14th Steve Kim, a country singer will be performing. For more information please call 618-786-3445.

October 20 & 21
Halloween Fest (Grafton)
Come join our crew and scare up a good time! Our staff will be dressing up for a good time on the far this weekend, and you are invited to join in. We have lots of great places for you to take you little ghost or goblin's picture. While you're here pick out that perfect pumpkin for carving. October 20th come and listen to blue grass music live on the main stage and hear Gene Operle perform on the 21st. For more information please call 618-786-3445.

October 25
Cooking Class - Eckert Family Country Favorites (Belleville)
Recipes have been passed down from our family for many years, we have shared many of our favorites with you in our country store and restaurant. Join Jill Eckert Tantillo and Angie Eckert as they share some more of their family's secret recipes with you. Class will take place in Eckert's Country Store from 6 pm - 8 pm. $25/person. To make reservations, please call 618-233-0513.

October 27 & 28
Costume Carnival (Millstadt & Grafton)
Put on your costumes and come out to the farm for a real fall treat. Anyone with a costume on will receive FREE entrance to our kids corral areas or entertainment farm. There will be a costume parade at each farm at 2:00pm each day and plenty of fall fun. Be sure to bring a bag or something to gather goodies in to the Millstadt Farm as we will have trick or treating available for the children both days! 9:00 - 5:00pm.