Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Current Days and Hours
Please note our current days and hours.  We are OPEN on Saturday, July 4, our normal hours of 9 am to 4 pm, and on Sunday from 9 am to 2 pm.

9 am to 6 pm – Friday
9 am to 4 pm – Thursday, Saturday
9 am to 2 pm – Tuesday, Sunday
Closed – Monday, Wednesday
Freedom, Food, and Family

For 250 years, America has changed in countless ways. But on farms across this country, each spring still begins with hope.  Let’s unite in hope for this country we love.

It’s hard for me to wrap my head around what farms were like 250 years ago.  One thing for sure: they would have been very different from the agritourism farms of today like ours.  As we work the farm that has been in our family for 65 years, we till the same land, pick in some of the original orchards, and thanks to Dad, have vintage tractors and equipment that we still use.

We may run the farm with spreadsheets and text messaging, use weather apps to watch for approaching storms, and Facebook to let everyone know what’s ripe today.  But when you strip away the technology, farming is still the same.  It begins with hope in the spring, requires patience all summer, depends on the weather every single day, and ends with the joy of sharing the harvest with others.  There are still long days, sore muscles, anxious nights before a frost, and immense relief when the season is finally over.

I was five years old when my family started with a simple wagon with produce and a sign at the end of the yard.  From those humble (and hard) beginnings, the old barn became a market, then each decade, more chapters were added to our farm’s story.  Today it is a bustling market, with open and inviting spaces for the public to enjoy the farm experience, U-Pick, a bakery, a distillery, greenhouses that extend the season, and so much more.

Perhaps 250 years ago children remembered:

  • Riding in a horse drawn wagon
  • Gathering eggs
  • Shelling out peas for dinner
  • Helping to milk the cows
Today, perhaps they’ll remember:
  • Picking blueberries
  • Eating a warm donut
  • Waiting their turn on the big slide
  • Strolling through the sunflower field with Grandma
The memories change, but the importance of making them doesn’t.  Every season brings something worth waiting for: the first asparagus pushing through the soil, that first ripe strawberry, the peach you can’t eat without juice running down your chin, sweet corn in July, the smell of fresh apple cider, pumpkins that signal autumn has arrived.  Somehow, we still get excited every year all over again!

So we celebrate Freedom, Food and Family, not just this weekend, but always.

Freedom: The freedom to own this amazing farm, to dream, to build, to change it, to take care of it and to share it.  I’d like to think a farm is never really owned, each generation continues until it’s someone else’s turn.

Food: For 250 years Americans have gathered around tables filled with food grown by farmers. Food has always brought people together around the table.  It tells our stories, celebrates our holidays, and creates traditions that last for generations.

Family: Whether it’s the family who works the farm or the families who return every year to make memories, that’s what has always mattered most.  Farms have always been places where people gather.

One of our greatest joys is watching children who once came holding their parents’ hands return years later with children of their own, to experience the same things:

  • Picking apples
  • Eating a juicy cherry and spitting out the pit
  • Pushing their child on the swing
As America celebrates 250 years, we are grateful to be a very small part of that story.  Thank you for supporting local farms, believing in family businesses, and allowing us to be part of your traditions.  Every strawberry picked, every donut shared, every child with a wide grin coming down the big slide, and every sunrise and sunset over the orchards becomes another memory woven into the story of our farm.
     ~ Beth Hubbard, July 2026
We Have a Lot to Celebrate this Holiday Week!
June 29, Full Strawberry Moon
This past Monday night, the first full Moon of the summer appeared at an extreme southeasterly point and traced an unusually low path across the night sky.  Known as the Strawberry Moon, it was the lowest-hanging Moon we will see until 2043, which also made it appear to be larger than usual.  It is still “nearly full and bright” so check it out tonight!  Sadly, there are no strawberries left to pick in the moonlight.
July 3, The Dog Days of Summer 🐶
Begins July 3 and continues through August 11.  There are no barking dogs celebrated during this time, but refers to Sirius, the Dog Star located in the constellation Canis Major, and brightest star in the night sky.  The ancient Romans noticed that in early July, Sirius rose at the very same time as the Sun.  They mistakenly concluded the reason July was so hot was because the Sun and Sirius were in the sky at the same time warming things up.  It wasn’t true, but it wasn’t completely crazy.

July 4, Independence Day
It is our day to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  Our new nation is growing up – 250 years old and going strong!  Take time to celebrate this special day with your friends and family.  There are many local events in the community taking place, find one to attend and join in the celebration.  We compiled a list of local events to get you started, and undoubtedly, there are more to choose from.
Now through the Weekend

Enjoy our Décor.  We will have our best semi-quincentennial look throughout the market for your enjoyment!  Expect to see some blueberry, cherry, and watermelon décor showing our red, white, and blue!

Specially Bagged Donuts.  Look for the bags with the American flag sticker.  Inside you’ll find 2 blueberry, 2 cherry, and 2 buttermilk.

Photo Ops.  Wear your holiday attire and take a photo with our patriotic truck (front yard), patriotic doorway (breezeway), and a special 250th board (breezeway) hand-painted by our staffer Cay.  The wood came from the side of the 100-plus-year-old barn brought down by this spring’s tornado.  Make a family photo keepsake.  The next major celebration is 25 years away….
Coloring Sheets and Stickers.  Patriotic-themed for your children to enjoy (located in the breezeway).

Hard Cider and Wine Tasting.  Stop by the market breezeway this Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm to sample our hard ciders and wines.  Find Brenda D. set up in the market breezeway!

Fresh cut flower bar.  Make your own bouquets starting Friday from assorted flowers, sunflowers, and lavender

Inviting Spaces.  We invite you to rest and enjoy our spaces!  Find tables and chairs by the market, the yard, and the onion barn.  Grab a slushie, hard cider, bakery goodies, chips, mini tomatoes (they taste like candy), or other treats, and relax with family and friends.  Donuts this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Celebrating the Red, White and Blue

Even our market goods are celebrating the Fourth!  Enjoy the many red, white and blue products available on the market.

  • RED – beets, cherries, cherry jams, cherry salsa, honey sticks in cherry and strawberry, cherry wine, and dried cherries, red raspberries, red onions, red potatoes, tomatoes, strawberry milk, Strawberry Olipop, Strawberry H20
  • WHITE – cauliflower, cheeses, vanilla ice cream, milk, mushrooms, onions, popcorn, whipped cream, yogurt
  • BLUE – blueberries, blue corn tortilla chips, blueberry salsa, grape jelly, honey sticks in blueberry and grape
Make a special treat for the holiday weekend

….with the abundance of red, white, and blue items on the market.  Check out this post for an assortment of quick and easy July 4th holiday and summertime desserts!
This is also the time of year for a caprese salad, especially when dressed up for the holiday weekend!
Blueberry Update

As you drive past our blueberry field this year, you may wonder why it is not mowed and being prepped for u-pick.  Sadly, we lost our blueberry crop this year during the May frosts that came as they were blooming.

Already Picked.  However, we will have blueberries already picked starting Thursday from Brookside Farms, our long-time supplier.  Blueberry season is just starting.

U-Pick.  If you would like to pick your own, we recommend family-oriented Brookside Farms.  Check their website for updates as to when their u-pick season will begin, prices, hours, etc.  They have several locations: Paw Paw, Gobles, and Martin/Otsego.

U-Pick Tart Cherries.  If you are interested in picking tart cherries, we recommend you contact Schultz Fruitridge Farms in Mattawan.  Their tart season just started and is expected to last for only about 7-10 days.
Fresh Produce on the Market

Assorted Fruit – blueberries, sweet cherries, and red raspberries.  The raspberries are arriving Thursday afternoon.)

Assorted summer vegetables – beets, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, cucumbers, garlic, green bell peppers, kohlrabi, onions, tomatoes, mini tomatoes, radishes, yellow summer squash, zucchini, and other veggies

Bankson Lake Farms produce – garlic scapes, lettuces, spinach, kale, and mushrooms, arriving Friday morning

Ice cold slushies – apple cider, blueberry lemonade, and strawberry lemonade

Fresh herbs – many types ready for you to pick from the Herb Garden

Our first green bell peppers of the year are coming from our hoop house.
Bakery
We’ve been rolling, filling, and baking all week!  The bakery staff have been busy making and baking their normal offerings plus some holiday treats.  Look for focaccia bread made from our produce and mini-fruit pies.
  • Cinnamon bread and rolls
  • “Take and bake” fruit pies – from assorted fruit
  • Special for this weekend only: Mini fruit pies – already baked, ready to eat, assorted flavors, starting Thursday until sold out
  • Assorted cookies, breads and muffins
  • Donuts – Friday, Saturday and Sunday only – in buttermilk, blueberry, and cherry.  Also specially marked American flag bags with 2 each of buttermilk, blueberry, and cherry.
  • Yeast ring donuts – frosted, with red/white/blue sprinkles, starting Friday
  • Strombolis – 10 different types, ranging from breakfast to pizza to traditional styles.  They are frozen, just take home and bake.
  • Focaccia breads – Basil and tomato and Olive-Rosemary, made in the bakery using our farm’s produce, starting Thursday until sold out.
Below, we are baking cinnamon bread.
Our pie making crew works hard each day to keep plenty of fruit pies available, including our “take and bake” pies and ready-to-eat minis.  Below our mini apple pies are perfect to take home or enjoy with a fork at one of our seating areas before you leave the farm.  Enjoy the minis while you can – we have them this weekend only!
Grocery
Enjoy our many grocery products!  Stop by and peruse our assortment of chips, cheeses, jams, jellies, honey, maple syrup, meats, vanilla ice cream, gluten-free, and more.  Many produced in Michigan!

Try our “grab and go” dried sweet cherries and chocolate covered cherries, made in Michigan with Michigan cherries.  We also carry sweet cherry jams and salsa.
Alcohol Offerings

Spirits.  Find apple, peach, and pear brandy; vodka; and white whiskey.

Wines.  Nice assortment to choose from – dry, sweet and semi-sweet wines in whites and reds

Hard Ciders.  Assorted flavors: blueberry, cherry, maple, peach pear, rhubarb, dry apple, semi-sweet apple, and sweet apple
Gift Suggestions
We have a nice selection of gift items such as tote bags, honey, jams, and maple syrup, freshly made bakery treats, greeting cards, t-shirts, mugs, alcohol products, and many unique creations from our local artisans.  We have gifts for birthdays, pet/house sitters, appreciation, and other occasions.  We also have an assortment of gifts specially designed for lakeside living.  See some of our selection here.

Below, our new luminaries and Michigan wooden postcards.
Thank you for your continued support and for buying local.
Everyone at Corey Lake Orchards wishes you a
happy Fourth of July holiday!