This Georgia Apple Orchard Has Swimming Pigs, Wagon Rides, And A September Festival

I did not expect to see a pig doing the backstroke. But there it was, paddling across a little pool while a row of kids cheered from the fence.

I had driven up into apple country expecting quiet trees and a basket to fill. Instead I found a farm that felt more like a carnival.

A wagon rattled past loaded with families headed toward the orchard rows. Somewhere behind me a bell rang for a fresh batch of cider doughnuts.

Georgia grows plenty of apples, but I never knew it also grew farms this much fun. Kids ran between goats and pig pens while parents lined up for warm pie.

By the time September arrived, I finally understood why this one corner of Georgia fills up every single weekend.

Swimming Pigs Steal The Show

Pigs that swim sound like a tall tale until you see the splash yourself. The daily races here end with a water dash that gets the whole crowd cheering.

Weekday races run at 12:30 PM, so plan lunch around it. On festival weekends, you get three chances at 12:30, 2:30, and 4:30 PM.

Sometimes goats, ducks, and chickens join the lineup too. The mix keeps every race a little unpredictable, which is exactly the fun part.

Kids press against the rail while parents fumble for their phones. I recommend arriving ten minutes early for a front-row spot near the finish line.

The announcer keeps things light and silly, and no one takes the results too seriously. Losing pigs still get plenty of applause.

Shaded seating fills up fast on busy Saturdays, so a hat helps. Bring wipes as well, since little hands get sticky from snacks.

Animal races rank among the most talked-about attractions on the whole property. Many visitors say it is the one thing they refuse to miss.

The farm sits at 9696 GA-52, Georgia, and traffic on the highway can back up on Saturdays. An early arrival saves you real time.

The Apple Pickin Jubilee Runs All September

September flips a switch on this farm. Every weekend brings the Apple Pickin Jubilee, a full fall festival packed with activities.

The Jubilee runs weekends through September and October. Weekend admission covers a long list of attractions, which explains the higher price tag.

Weekend admission is $22 per person for anyone of walking age. Weekdays drop to $14, and the crowds thin out considerably.

Live country and bluegrass bands play on stage during festival days. Clogging groups perform too, and the rhythm carries across the field.

For the 2026 season, U-Pick apple picking begins September 1 and continues while apples remain available. It ends when the last apples come off the trees.

Gates generally open at 9:00 AM and close at 6:00 PM in September and October. U-Pick ticket sales generally end one hour before closing, so arrive early enough to complete your picking.

Weekends deliver the biggest show, but weekdays give you room to breathe. Pick based on what your family enjoys more.

Pick Your Own Apples The Old Fashioned Way

Grabbing an apple straight off the branch beats any grocery store bin. U-Pick runs daily during the season, and it is the heart of the whole operation.

You pay admission first, then purchase a picking bag before heading out. Bag prices vary by size, so decide how much fruit you actually want.

Rows sit on rolling ground, which means comfortable shoes matter more than you think. Sneakers beat sandals every single time.

Ripeness shifts week by week as different varieties come in. Ask at the market which trees are producing best that day.

Twist the apple upward rather than yanking it down. That small trick protects the branch and keeps next year’s fruit coming.

Late September and early October usually offer the widest variety selection. Visit near the end of the season and choices narrow.

Bring a small cooler for the car ride home. Apples hold up better when they stay cool.

The picking itself takes less time than most people expect. Budget the rest of your day for everything else on the property.

Cider Doughnuts Worth The Drive

Warm cider doughnuts have ruined regular doughnuts for me forever. You can watch them being made right there at the bakery window.

Fried apple pies and apple fritters share the same counter. Both come out hot, and both disappear fast in my experience.

Homemade fudge sits nearby, along with candy apples in several coatings. The display alone will slow your walk to a stop.

Cider slushy floats deserve special mention. Cold cider plus ice cream on a warm afternoon is a genuinely great combination.

Doughnuts are the item people mention most often. Order a half dozen even if you think you only want two.

The bakery gets busy right after the pig races end. Go slightly before or after that window for a shorter line.

Napkins are your friend here, because fritters do not travel neatly. Grab extras before you sit down.

Seating scatters around the property, so pick a shady bench and enjoy them fresh. Cold doughnuts are still good, but warm ones are the whole point.

Wagon Rides Through The Apple Rows

Nothing slows your heartbeat down like a wagon ride between apple rows. The seats are comfortable, and the pace gives you time to actually look around.

The route rolls past a pond where giant catfish sometimes surface. Kids lean over the side, hunting for a flick of a tail.

Riders of every age can climb aboard, from toddlers to grandparents. That makes it one of the easiest activities for a big family group.

Wagon rides run on both weekdays and festival weekends. Lines move steadily, though weekend crowds mean a slightly longer wait.

The mountain scenery does most of the work here. Rows of trees climb the hillside, and the whole place looks like a photo waiting to happen.

I found the ride useful for scouting, since you spot which parts of the farm you still want to explore. It doubles as a rest stop for tired legs.

Drivers point out details along the way, from tree varieties to the pond dwellers. Their commentary makes the loop feel personal instead of routine.

Sit on the outside edge if you want clear photos of the orchard rows.

Baby Animals At The Petting Farm

Fluffy bunnies have a way of stopping a family in its tracks. The interactive petting farm is one of the most mentioned attractions on the property.

Baby chicks, goats, calves, and lambs all live here. Visitors can pet and hug the animals, which makes it a hands-on stop rather than a look-only one.

Young children usually linger the longest. Adults tend to stay just as long once a lamb leans into their hand.

Hand sanitizer stations matter after animal time. Use them before you head toward the bakery counter.

Gentle hands work best with the babies. A quiet voice and slow movement get a much friendlier response.

Morning visits often mean calmer animals and fewer people crowding the pens. Afternoons get livelier on festival weekends.

Milking Buttercup, the farm’s Jersey cow, happens at set times during the day. Check the daily schedule board when you arrive so you do not miss it.

The petting area pairs nicely with the animal races, since both sit within easy walking distance. Plan them back to back.

Playgrounds, Slides, And Jumping Pillows

Sliding down a hill on a burlap sack turns adults into kids again. Giant slides sit alongside multiple playgrounds across the farm.

Jumping pillows give little ones a soft place to burn off energy. Trike rides on a small track keep the smallest visitors busy too.

Several of these attractions carry height or age limits. Check the posted signs before promising anything to older kids.

Pedal carts and a cow train round out the ride options. Both work well for elementary-age visitors.

An 18-hole mini golf course sits on the grounds as well. It suits teens and adults who want something less bouncy.

Activities spread out across a hilly property, so expect real walking. Comfortable shoes and a water bottle make the day easier.

Weekdays offer a shorter list of open attractions than festival weekends. If your group leans older, weekends give you more to do.

Families regularly report spending three to five hours here and still missing something. Build in more time than you think you need.

The Fairy Tale Trail And Eagle’s Nest Photo Stop

Storybook scenes hiding along a shaded path caught me completely off guard. The Fairy Tale Trail features life-size setups you walk right through.

Each scene invites a photo, and kids recognize the stories instantly. Parents get a break from the noisier parts of the farm.

A giant eagle’s nest sits nearby as a photo opportunity. Climbing in makes for one of the most shared pictures from the property.

The trail leans educational as well as whimsical. It gives younger visitors something to look at between rides.

Afternoon light filters nicely through the trees along the path. Photographers will find better shots later in the day.

Strollers manage the trail, though the ground is not perfectly smooth. Sturdy wheels help.

Foliage across the farm turns beautiful in late October. That timing pairs well with a slow walk down this trail.

Consider saving the trail for the end of your visit. It works as a calm finish after the races, slides, and doughnut runs.

The Farm Market And Planning Your Visit

Skipping the market would be a mistake, even if you never buy an admission ticket. The daily farm market requires no admission fee at all.

Shelves hold fresh-picked apples in many varieties. Cider, jellies, local honey, and sorghum syrup fill out the selection.

The market runs efficiently even on busy weekends. Staff keep bins stocked and lines moving.

November hours shift to 9:00 AM through 5:00 PM daily. September and October stay open until 6:00 PM.

Parking is generous, and finding a space rarely becomes a problem. That alone reduces the stress of a fall trip.

Weekday visits cost less and feel calmer, at $14 versus $22 on weekends. Weekends deliver more attractions and live music.

The whole operation runs September through November as a family business. Nearly eighty years of apple growing sits behind every bag you carry out.