Thiessen Orchards: Creating fall family memories for over 45 years

By Mark Ribble

LEAMINGTON — Earlier this year, Krissy and Andrew Thiessen had no idea what September would bring for them.

The family orchard and farm, known for making fall memories for generations, has now opened for the season, and the Thiessens are excited to get their season underway.

“We’re so happy to be able to open,” said Krissy. “We weren’t sure until just recently if were going to be able to.”

Krissy points out some obvious changes in their procedures, such as the 40 hand sanitizer dispensers they’ve installed and other protocols that are in place to help with following COVID guidelines.

The Thiessen family farm dates back to 1933 when Jacob Thiessen purchased a tobacco farm on the site where the farm now stands. He eventually turned to growing mums and then planted ten acres of apple trees.

Jacob’s son Peter began helping his dad on the farm in 1961 and along the way, picked up the name of ‘Farmer Pete’.

In 1969, the first harvest of apples began and Peter’s wife Gloria decided to sell a few bags of apples off a wagon at the roadside. Pick-Your-Own Apples at Thiessen Orchards was opened a year later, ushering in a 45-year tradition for generations of local families to make precious memories.

Farmer Pete’s Fun Acre has plenty for the kids to do, as witnessed here on opening day of Thiessen Orchards. Sun photo

Peter and Gloria’s son Andrew and his wife Krissy, are now hard at work continuing those same traditions with new generations each year.

The farm has grown to include multiple attractions during the fall season, all geared toward family fun.

They opened for the season last Thursday, September 10 and although things are a little different, Krissy is excited to welcome families to their property.

“We have so many things planned,” she said. “We want people to create new memories on our farm.”

The fee structure will change this year to better streamline the family fun aspect.

A new general admission fee covers all of the family fun activities and attractions, except for the Haunted Barn.

The Haunted Barn is a popular event leading up to Halloween, organized by Halloween guru Reggie Wood, who partners with the Thiessen family to make Halloween fun at the orchards. Because it is a separate entity, the cost for the Haunted Barn is $5 plus tax.

Krissy and Andrew Thiessen pose alongside one of their apple trees on opening day for Thiessen Orchards. The couple is the third generation to operate the farm, which has along-standing fall tradition for locals and visitors alike.

Krissy and Andrew Thiessen pose alongside one of their apple trees on opening day for Thiessen Orchards. The couple is the third generation to operate the farm, which has along-standing fall tradition for locals and visitors alike.

The general admission includes the corn maze, putt putt golf, jump pad, Fun Acre, barrel train, hay mow, farm friends and a tractor ride to the orchard.

On Thursday and Friday, you pay $4 plus tax for adults and $8 plus tax for children 3-12. On Saturday and Sunday, the adult fee is $6 plus tax and the child fee is $10 plus tax. You can enjoy the picnic area or order from Kountry Kitchen without paying an admission fee. There is also no admission fee to come in to purchase bagged apples off the wagon or from the prepicked bins.

On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, there is no admission fee and the children’s activities are closed, allowing anyone who wants to enjoy a picnic on the grounds or order food from their Kountry Kitchen to do so. Or perhaps a visit to their flower shop would be more to your liking.

You can also pick your own apples and choose from prepicked apple bins.

As for COVID rules, Krissy is quick to point out that they want everyone to be safe.

Apple pickers Connie and Jarad Renaud of Windsor, select a few apples from the tree at Thiessen Orchards.

“Masks will be required when under any covered shelters, in lineups or on the wagon rides,” she said. “Feel free to wander through our orchards mask-free and anywhere you can maintain social distancing.”

The Thiessens grow nine varieties of apples on the farm with Honeycrisp being the most popular apple. “Ambrosia is really coming along too,” she said.

This coming Friday and Saturday, they are holding a Frontline Workers Weekend and will be giving Family of Four passes to frontline workers who show I.D.

“We’re also planning a Family Extravaganza”, she said. “Kids will be able to dress up and go trick-or-treating throughout the orchards.”

That is planned for October 24.

The dedication they’ve made to tackle all of the COVID protocols will be visible with around 60 employees maintaining the grounds, serving customers and making sure everyone is safe. They’ve also acquired two more wagons for the rides, bringing the total to five. This will allow them to fill the wagons to half-capacity for social distancing.

The dream of Farmer Pete is alive and well and it appears the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, as his son and daughter-in-law love what they do.

No matter how you slice it, Thiessen Orchards is determined to provide the same fun atmosphere as in past years, in a safe and responsible manner.

They are located at 400 Talbot Rd, just east of Leamington and open seven days a week from 10 am to 5:30 pm. Visit their website at thiessenorchards.ca for more details.

One of the many popular attractions at Thiessens is the wagon ride.

Sun photo