Halloween is almost here. It is time to break out the overalls, plaid shirts, and pitchforks. Corral the kids, pile onto your covered wagon (okay, SUV) and go explore the great family farms to the North of Pittsburgh. At these North Hills family farms, you will find hayrides, corn mazes, pumpkin patches, apple cider, and all the fall glory essentials that make southwestern Pennsylvania—in this case, the North Hills—a treasure to behold this time of year. Here are four bonfire picks.
Soergel Orchards
There is plenty to do at Soergel's. Not only can you get big orange pumpkins, enjoy rollicking hayrides, kick back with live entertainment, but you also get to say hello to "Zippy", a massive pig that calls Soergel's home. Of course, you will find a wide variety of animals at their petting zoo too.
Soergel's has is a longstanding tradition in the North Hills and its roots go back generations.
Their family farm began in 1850 when, according to their website, a German immigrant by the name of John Conrad Soergel settled on the current location and began planting apple trees.
The apples were sold wholesale for the first half of the 1900s, but in the mid-1960s a severe spring frost left very few apples on the trees. At this time, the Soergel's decided it was not worth the trip to town every day to sell the few apples they had, so they started a roadside stand at the corner of Brandt School Road and Wexford Bayne Road.
Over the years, Soergel's have grown like a patch of pumpkins.
When the business outgrew the original building, a larger stand was built. In 1973, Interstate 79 claimed 14 acres of apples. Nevertheless, their family felt it was time for further expansion, and the present market was established.
Several greenhouses provided a complement to the market in 1980 and have since expanded to include their Garden Center and Home Accents.
In 1986, they began their own rack and cloth cider press. In 1987, Soregel expanded with a full-scale bakery and deli department, and around that same time, the Gift Barn was added. They added an Arrowhead Wine Shop satellite location in 2002 and "Naturally, Soergel’s" was opened in the Spring of 2009. In 2015, an Arsenal Cider House satellite location was opened.
Soergel's has since become a fall tradition for many families and no doubt will continue to do for many years.
Across The North Hills: 2573 Brandt School Rd, Wexford, PA 15090
Across The Web: Soergels.com
Shenot Farm & Market
Not far from Soergel's, the Shenot Family came to the Wexford area in the mid-1850s. During the early years of the farm, the operation included dairy cows, hogs and chickens, crops including apples, potatoes, grains, and a few garden vegetables.
Over the years each generation has focused on specific crops or products. According to their website, little is known about the earliest family members. Edward N. Shenot (1886-1948) grew significant acreage of potatoes. He was also known for his hard cider operation.
Across The North Hills: 3754 Wexford Run Rd, Wexford, PA 15090
Across The Web: ShenotFarm.com
Cheeseman Farm
Much further north of Pittsburgh, you will find Cheeseman Farm, a family-owned and operated attraction offering a variety of fall activities and amenities.
The Cheeseman Pumpkin Festival is a family tradition for many folks in western Pennsylvania. Take a hayride, pick a pumpkin, run and jump in the hay maze, spend some time enjoying their petting zoo, and browse seasonal items and gifts. If you want to put a little fright in your night, after sunset, they host the renowned Cheeseman Fright Farm.
Across The North Hills: 147 Kennedy Rd, Portersville, PA 16051
Across The Web: CheesemanFarm.com
Harvest Valley Farms
Harvest Valley Farms (HVF) is a fourth-generation family farm. Although the farm began as a poultry and vegetable farm in the mid-'40s, it was turned entirely to vegetable production in 1982 by the youngest son Larry.
According to their website, Great Grandma King sold eggs, pork, and vegetables door to door to customers in the Pittsburgh area. Her son, Norman, followed in her footsteps and expanded the business mostly in the Aspinwall and North Side areas. Grandma (Zita) and Grandpa (Norman) King raised eight children completely off of the farm’s profits.
Across The North Hills: 6003 Cunningham Road, Gibsonia, PA 15044
Across The Web: HarvestValleyFarms.com
There you go, folks. Enjoy your trip To The North!