CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — After a hot August and September, it’s finally starting to feel like fall.
One popular fall spot in Champaign County is seeing the ripple effects of the cooler temperatures.
Champaign’s Curtis Orchard was filled with people on Sunday.
Despite the warmer temperatures this autumn not being perfect, Randy Graham, co-owner and President of Curtis Orchard, reported that their crops exceeded expectations. They are experiencing a plentiful harvest of big pumpkins and high-quality apples.
Graham also said that the dry and warm conditions made for low disease and less pests. He’s happy it’s starting to be cooler outside.
“I wouldn’t say business was slow, but it was definitely quieter than usual because the heat made it hard for people to get into the fall spirit. When it feels like summer, you don’t immediately think of activities like picking pumpkins or enjoying hot apple cider. However, once the temperatures dropped, we saw a significant uptick in visitors,” Graham noted.
Although the fall season will come to an end, Curtis Orchard will remain open until December 23. They’ve already started taking reservations for their “Cookies with Santa” event, scheduled for December 6.
