Visitors pick apples at Meadow Lakes Orchard in Auberry. The century-old Fresno County orchard is celebrating its grand opening Sept. 5 following months of rehabilitation under new ownership. Courtesy of Meadow Lakes Orchard

If You Go

Meadow Lakes Orchard Grand Opening
Saturday, Sept. 5 | 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
41270 Auberry Road, Auberry, CA 93602
Instagram: @MeadowLakesOrchard
Information: 559-618-0633

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Meadow Lakes Orchard, a century-old Fresno County apple orchard, will celebrate its grand opening Saturday, Sept. 5, following months of rehabilitation under new ownership.

The grand opening will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 41270 Auberry Road in Auberry.

Visitors will be able to pick apples, shop the orchard store, meet local artisans and producers, watch demonstrations and visit an Auberry Fire Department fire engine, according to information provided by the orchard.

Apples have been grown on the property since around 1920, with several local families tending the orchard over the generations.

Joe Denham and his partners acquired Meadow Lakes Orchard in April and have spent the past five months restoring its trees and grounds while expanding the property’s offerings.

U-pick apples remain at the center of Meadow Lakes Orchard’s business, but the new ownership group is working to build a broader destination around the historic property.

The orchard store carries products from local farmers, artisans and craftspeople. Plans also call for overnight accommodations, classes, tours and events designed to encourage visitors to extend their stays.

Rather than a traditional vendor fair, Saturday’s grand opening will showcase several of the small businesses and producers whose products are sold in the orchard store.

Daren Hess of Kingsburg Honey will bring a live observation hive, beekeeping equipment and frames of honey. His bees are kept at Meadow Lakes Orchard and help pollinate the orchard, according to information provided by the business. Visitors will be able to learn about honey bees and pollination, taste different varieties of honey and, for children, try on beekeeper suits.

Other demonstrations will include pottery, traditional bobbin lace, knitting and spinning, jewelry making and live artwork. Artist Deborah Klose will work on an original apple drawing and offer a mini colored-pencil drawing class for children.

The expanded approach reflects the owners’ effort to make the orchard more than a seasonal U-pick operation while creating a marketplace for locally produced goods.

The owners are positioning Meadow Lakes Orchard’s history and mountain setting as part of its appeal, with the goal of giving visitors reasons to spend several hours — or potentially several days — on the property.

The strategy is aimed at preserving a piece of Fresno County’s agricultural history while developing additional revenue opportunities for the orchard.