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Fall fun in the South Sound

Cider mills, pumpkin patches and more

Carolyn Lattin, right, helps sort apples for apple juice at Lattin’s Country Cider Mill and Farm in Olympia Oct. 9. Lattin and her husband, Victor purchased the farm in 1956, and it’s been family owned and operated for the past 61 years. JBLM PAO photo

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Fall is in the air, and the crisp, sweet aroma of apples, apple cider, pumpkins, fresh donuts and apple fritters permeate the air at Lattin’s Country Cider Mill and Farm, in Olympia — one of a handful of local farms dedicated to providing harvest and Halloween food and fare for South Sound families.

If you’re looking for someplace fall-like to take your family for pumpkins, train rides, face painting and more, weekends at Lattin’s offer just that. Additionally available are farm animals, Bluegrass music, pony rides and a store and bakery filled with delights, from pies to jams, vegetables and apple slushies.

There’s no cost to visit the farm, but there’s a $5 parking fee on the weekends. Lattin’s Country Cider Mill and Farm is also open weekdays, with slightly fewer activities available.

Carolyn and Victor Lattin purchased the farm in 1956, and it’s been family-owned and operated for the past 61 years. Victor died in 2002, but his wife and two daughters, Debbie Lattin and Sherrie Kohlmann, have kept it running smoothly since then. Sons, Steven and Chris, work outside the farm.

“We’ve been going 61 years, and it’s still fun,” said 85-year-old Carolyn Lattin as she helped process apples at the farm Oct. 9.

Gala, golden delicious, Fuji, red delicious, honey crisp and other apple varieties are transported to the farm from eastern Washington. Lattin personally tells the workers which kind of apples to put in each batch of cider for a drink that’s not too sweet for the adults and not too tart for the kids, she said.

Lattin said her apple cider is loved across the country, and has won awards at various national championships.

“We make sure that every apple is perfect when it goes in the cider,” Lattin said, pointing to a large bin of discarded pieces cut from apples.

Pulp from the apples isn’t wasted; it’s used for livestock feed. The cider is refrigerated and served fresh with no added sugar or preservatives. That’s the same for the berry ciders and slushies, which are a big hit at the farm, Lattin said.

Two-year-old Malachi Hill sipped on an apple slushie with a smile as he and his family visited the Nubian goats at the farm Oct. 9.

“I want to feed the mama goat,” said Malachi’s 4-year-old brother, Hezekiah.

Their mother, Samantha Hill, said she was glad her parents, retired Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Jim Miller and his wife, Loretta, decided to bring the family to Lattin’s.

“It’s wonderful,” she said. “We’re having fun, and I will have to bring my husband back next time.”

Miller said the family enjoyed going to a farm that was way out in the country and has just the right atmosphere.

Lattin’s Country Cider Mill and Farm is located at 9402 Rich Road SE in Olympia and is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily through Christmas. The farm is closed Sundays from January to May.

If you go

Halloween Fun!, Book Patch Library, Building 2109 N. 10th and Pendleton streets, Lewis Main; Halloween from 2 to 6 p.m. For ages 3 to 12 years old. Face painting, trick-or-treating, a free book and plenty of spookiness. Come in costume. 253-967-5533.

Harvest Fest, Hillside Youth Center, 6397 Garcia Blvd. on Lewis Main; Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. Games, prizes, bounce house, crafts and temporary tattoos, treats and more. 253-967-4441 or visit JBLMmwr.com/CYS.

Lattin’s Country Cider Mill and Farm, 9402 Rich Road SE in Olympia; open daily from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. now-Christmas and closed Sundays January-May. Pumpkins, train rides, face painting, country store with apples, vegetables, pies, apple slushies and award-winning apple cider. Parking on weekends is $5. 360-491-7328 or visit lattinscider.com.

Pet Brigade Halloween Party, 4907 Pendleton Drive on Lewis North; Oct. 29 from 1 to 3 p.m. Dog costume contest, chili cook-off, bobbing for treats and other games and prizes. Open to dogs, cats, children and adults. Expect a barking good time. 253-912-4898.

Schilter Family Farm, 141 Nisqually Cutoff Road SE in Olympia; open now-Oct. 30 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Halloween from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 180-acre Nisqually Valley farm with corn maze, pumpkins and harvest festival. 360-459-4023 or visit schilterfamilyfarm.com.

Scholz Farm and Garden, 12920 162nd Ave. E. in Puyallup; open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pumpkins, farm animals, vegetables and corn maze. 253-848-7604.

SKIES Unlimited, 6398 Garcia Blvd. on Lewis Main; Oct. 26 from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Trick-or-Treat event. If you are a current SKIES Unlimited student or would like to see what SKIES Unlimited is all about, drop by SKIES Unlimited in costume or show off a magic trick, and you will receive a goody. 253-966-3539.

Trunk or Treat, Shoreline Park, Shoreline Beach Road on Lewis North; Oct. 28 from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Prizes for best-decorated vehicle and various costume categories based on age. Volunteers and businesses are needed to provide candy and trunks. Parking is limited. 253-967-2510.

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