18 Years of Friendship at the Orchard
September 2, 2026
There are some traditions that just feel like Friendship Circle and apple picking is one of them.
For the past 18 years, Friendship Circle has made its way to Simmons Farm to spend an afternoon in the orchard together. This year, members, families, volunteers and staff came ready to fill their bags with apples, catch up with familiar faces and kick off another program year together.
Between walking through the rows of apple trees, riding the hayride and finding the perfect apples to take home, there was plenty of time for what makes the day so special: simply being together.
For FC member Pearl Balyasny, her favorite part was an easy choice.
“I like picking apples with my friends and family,” Pearl shared.
And that feeling of togetherness is exactly why families continue to look forward to apple picking year after year.
“Apple picking has always been a favorite event because it kicks off the FC new year, and autumn is my favorite time of year,” shared FC parent Chimene Brant. “I love when all the families come together and celebrate.”
And after 18 years, Friendship Circle isn’t the only one who looks forward to coming back. Farmer Scott has watched FC families return to Simmons Farm year after year.
“It’s very rewarding that they’ve been coming back for 18 years,” Scott shared. “We feel it’s very important for the kids to learn where their food comes from and how it’s grown. Seeing them come back yearly, they must be getting some learning out of it.”
That’s part of what has kept this tradition special for so long. There’s the fun of filling a bag with apples and riding through the farm, but there’s also something meaningful about returning to the same place year after year, watching friendships grow and making new memories along the way.
Eighteen years later, we’re still picking apples, still coming together
and still finding plenty of reasons to look forward to the year ahead.
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