Tour Lehigh County Farms Today

Pick pumpkins, take a hay ride, visit farms and an orchard.

The once-a-year Open Gate Farm Tour, sponsored by Penn State Extension in Lehigh County, will take place on Sunday, Oct. 16, from 1 to 5 p.m., providing an opportunity to learn about local agriculture.

Started 40 years ago, the tour will be held rain or shine. There's no charge to go to any of the sites, though many sell pumpkins and baked goods and offer other activities.

Here are the sites on this year's tour: 

* , 2160 N. Cedar Crest Blvd., South Whitehall.

This 60-acre horse farm and riding school is also the site of Manito Life Center, a non-profit offering equine-assisted activities to those experiencing trauma and children diagnosed on the autistic spectrum. There will be walking tours, refreshments and grooming demonstrations. Pony rides will be offered for a small fee and will benefit rescued horses.

* , 3600 Haines Mill Road, South Whitehall. There will be guided tours of the mill, which has stood along Cedar Creek since Colonial times.

* Bear Rock Junction, 7990 Route 309, New Tripoli

* Blue Mountain Vineyards, 7627 Grape Vine Drive, New Tripoli

* Boots and Saddle Riding Club, 2850 Fish Hatchery Road, Allentown

* Burnside Plantation, 1461 Schoenersville Road, Bethlehem

* Byler's Farm, 8737 Ashfield Road, Slatington

* , 2415 Route 100, Orefield

* Flint Hill Farm, 1922 Flint Hill Road, Coopersburg

* Gress Mountain Ranch, 3264 Highland Road, Orefield

* Grim's Greenhouse and Farm Market, 9941 Schantz Road, Breinigsville

* Heidel Hollow Farm, 7419 Saegersville Road, Slatington

* Hill Crest Farm, 7148 Oriole Road, Germansville

* Lyon Creek Farm, 3502 Blacksmith Road, New Tripoli

* Marwell Dairy Farm, 2072 Cassel Road, Coopersburg

* Pappy's Orchard, 2576 Cassel Road, Coopersburg

* Rainbow Farm, 6707 Scholler Road, New Tripoli

* Schneck Log House, 5081 Route 873, Schnecksville

* Venture Farms, Farms, 5728 Fritzinger Road, Germansville

* Wehr's Fruit Stand and Farm, 3245 Route 309, Orefield

* Willow Haven Farm, 7686 Herber Road, New Tripoli

For a map of the sites on the farm tour, and for directions and additional information on the sites, visit the Penn State Extension website.

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