By Mary Sisk
Rock River Current
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POPLAR GROVE — When Rockford-born Harlow Kedzie moved to Tampa, Florida, she often found herself thinking about Edwards Apple Orchard and its apple cider doughnuts, even subconsciously.
“They’re so hot and fresh, nothing compares to those,” Kedzie said at Edwards’ opening day. “When I was in Florida, I dreamed of these doughnuts.”
The doughnuts — which feature a soft interior and crisp, baked exterior dusted with sugar — bring customers back to Edwards year after year. While the official start of fall is still a little more than two weeks away, fall favorites are back on the menu at Edwards and other area orchards now.
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Kedzie and her mother, Stephanie Kraemer, now live in Chicago, but they’re willing to make the drive to Edwards for the doughnuts, shopping and overall nostalgia.
“I’ve been coming here since I was little,” Kraemer said. “It’s just fall.”
Edward’s loyal base of customers isn’t just there for the doughnuts. The orchard is a place unlike others, according to returning visitor Marsha Maxey.
“It’s an experience here; it’s not just food,” she said. “I’ve been to orchards all over and there’s just not another Edwards.”
A trip to Edwards Apple Orchard, 7061 Centerville Road, is a shared memory for many in the greater Rockford area. It drew dozens of locals and out-of-towners for opening weekend, some coming from as far as Indianapolis.
“Everything is good,” said Rockford-born James Maxey, Marsha’s husband. “I took a 20-mile detour just so I could come by here when I was driving home from South Dakota back to Indianapolis.”
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Customers who grew up coming to Edwards Apple Orchard carried on the tradition during opening weekend, with Alexis Bendorf bringing 4 year-old Emmitt Palmer to enjoy all the orchard has to offer, including its signature apple cider doughnuts.
“We have to come and get doughnuts,” Bendorf said. “They’re always fresh. Even after you take them home, you can warm them up for a little bit and they still taste fresh.”
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Fanfare over the orchard was on full display on Facebook on July 11, when Edwards announced its opening day. That post garnered more than 1,500 comments and 4,100 shares.
Hours for the orchard are 9 a.m to 6 p.m. daily. It closes for the season in late November.
This article is by Mary Sisk. Email her at msisk@rockrivercurrent.com or follow her on Instagram at @maryrrcurrent