Robinette’s is home of the Big Apple, which has been on the farm since 1973, nearly 50 years. Many of the apple orchard’s guests take pictures with the iconic, nine-foot apple located in the picnic area.
The corn maze opens sep. 6 and will run through Nov. 6. Maze tickets are $9 per person with children 2 and under free. Hours for the maze are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
The 125-acre Robinette’s Apple Haus and Winery was purchased by Edward Robinette in 1911, when he found the farm while he was visiting a friend in Grand Rapids. When he purchased it, the farm was solely a fruit tree farm made of apples, peaches and Cherries.
The farm still maintains these fruit trees, but has started expanding in 1971 with the cider mill, followed by donuts in 1972 and the Apple Haus in 1973. The gift barn came in 1985, and the winery was opened in 2006. Other additions have included pies, lunches, and more added every year.
Robinette’s is now open year round. For hours, activities and more information, visit www.robinettes.com
The Grand Rapids Public Museum’s Beer Explorers program will pair Founders beer with Robinette’s doughnuts. (Supplied)
WKTV Staff
Beer and doughnuts … what’s not to like?
The Grand Rapids Public Museum’s Beer Explorers program continues on Thursday, Jan. 12, with a event pairing Founders beer with Robinette’s doughnuts, allowing participants to explore their sense of taste and what combinations appeal to individual palates.
The series of winter programs are held in partnership with Founders Brewing Company one Thursday evening each month through the mid-winter.
The third and final installment of Beer Explorers with Founders Brewing Company will take place on Feb. 16, and focusing on barrel aging beers. Participants will learn about the process of barrel aging and how different factors affect the taste and quality of the beer.
Classes begin at 6 p.m. and will be held on the 1st floor of the museum. Admission to each class includes general admission to the museum as well as three beer samples. A cash bar will also be available. Tickets to Beer Explorers is $8 for museum members and $18 for non-members. Participants must be 21 and older.
In honor of the 50th Anniversary of one of the most beloved, quotable, and unforgettable Peanuts television specials of all time, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, Peanuts Worldwide and Robinette’s are preparing a once-in-a-lifetime celebration: the creation of a unique corn maze, custom-designed to feature Peanuts themes.
The maze, which will feature The Red Baron Scene, will cover 6.5 acres on the farm’s lot. It will be open from September 8 to November 5th, 10 am to 5:30 pm. In addition to the maze, Robinette’s will host a special screening of It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown on September 8th at 5 pm. Snoopy will also be paying a visit on Saturday, September 24th from 12 pm to 4 pm.
The venue will also incorporate Great Pumpkin artwork into other areas of its venue, providing the perfect setting for visitor photo ops with the Peanuts characters.
Robinette’s is one of more than 80 farms in North America selected by Peanuts Worldwide to create a Great Pumpkin maze this year. Collectively, the farms—which are part of The MAiZE network and span North America in two countries and 32 states, from California to New York, Canada to Florida—will reach more than 2 million visitors during the fall season.
“The Great Pumpkin and cornfield mazes are two of the world’s greatest fall traditions, eagerly anticipated by fans every single year, and we’re so excited to bring them together for this landmark anniversary,” said Jill Schulz, daughter of Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz. “As we prepare to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, it’s only fitting that we should find a tribute that’s both joyful and visually compelling, just as my father’s characters have been for more than 65 years.”
“We’re thrilled to work with Peanuts Worldwide and The MAiZE, Inc. as we customize our corn maze to celebrate It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” said Ed/Allan Robinette, Owner of Robinette’s. “Corn mazes are all about providing a fun and interactive experience for our visitors—even the adults feel like kids again! And that’s exactly what Peanuts does: Aren’t we all kids again when we see Snoopy and Charlie Brown? This is the perfect match of holiday traditions.”
“It’s been a huge pleasure for us to collaborate with Peanuts Worldwide and corn farms across North America to design these unique, custom corn mazes,” said founder Brett Herbst, The MAiZE, Inc. “We’re all fans of Peanuts and the Great Pumpkin, and we’re delighted to honor the 50th Anniversary by having the Great Pumpkin, this one time only, rise out of a corn maze!”
Admission to the maze is $7 per person (groups of 15 more with one person paying is $6 per person). For more information, visit www.Robinettes.com.
With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, it’s time to prepare a weekend with your significant other because, and let’s be honest here, we know you haven’t planned anything yet.
If you’re one of those rare breeds who plans out Valentine’s Day months in advance, then you can use this for ideas for how to put a cherry on top of your picture perfect day. For the rest of us who just realized it’s already February 10, there’s still time, and here’s a cheat sheet.
For the sake of this list, we’ll skip dinner and go right to the good stuff. There are a lot of unique restaurants in Wyoming, Kentwood, Grand Rapids, and the surrounding areas to sit down and have a nice dinner. If your partner doesn’t have a favorite spot, try something new! There are a lot of great options not too far away.
Here are some couple’s events sure to make for a delightful Valentine’s weekend.
The DeVos Performance Hall will be hosting two concert events this weekend. The Bad Boy Reunion Tour features Faith Evans, Mase, Carl Thomas, and Case on February 13 at 7:30 p.m. The following evening, Tommy Emmanuel will perform his upcoming album It’s Never Too Late.
Searching for a date idea that’s a little more “hands on”? Well, the Downtown Market has three events for you and your valentine. The Couples: Valentine’s Day cooking class is offered February 11, 12 and 13 and is a great way to relax with your partner and enjoy small plate demonstrations, an effervescent cocktail, and a little bit of hands-on cooking. Before the meal, enjoy a drink at the Ice Bar Lounge and their heated outdoor happy hour featuring specialty cocktails, craft beer, and select wine.
Robinette’s is hosting their Love, Wine & Chocolate event on February 13 from 1pm to 5pm. The cost is $12 per couple and includes wine tasting, a souvenir wine glass, and a chocolate snack bar. On top of the items to tickle your taste buds, you can also customize a pair of five-minute earrings with Sara Neal. Sara provides supplies for earrings and you pick out what you want. The earrings are then made right there in front of you. No reservation required.
Be a kid again at the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum
Want a unique date to bring out you and your valentine’s inner child? Look no further than the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum’s 2nd annual Grown Up Play Date on Friday night. Play laser tag, participate in a building wide scavenger hunt, enjoy local craft beers, wines, and ciders, and “grown up” pizza offerings from local restaurants. The best part? It all benefits the Children’s Museum’s programs and exhibits. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and tickets are just $30 per person.
Looking for a unique beer experience centered around Valentine’s Day? Make sure to stop in at Gravel Bottom Craft Brewery and Supply out in Ada. Gravel Bottom has two Valentine’s Day beers that can either compliment a desert or be enjoyed on their own. The first is a robust porter called the Lion Heart which can be paired with chocolates and raspberries. Also on tap is the Susie Q, a cream ale packing a bouquet of flavor with hibiscus and rose hips. Cheers to love!
When it comes to valentines, ice can be nice. Grand Rapids is hosting their 3rd annual Valent-ICE festival this weekend. The festival is to celebrate love and winter in Downtown Grand Rapids and features over 50 sculptures and more than 15 tons of ice! Much like ArtPrize, residents can walk around the city and enjoy the sculptures over the weekend. On Saturday, February 13, the largest sculpture will be revealed and Randy Finch and Derek Maxfield of Food Network’s “Ice Brigade” will carve the public sculpture from 6,000 pounds of ice. The final piece will stand 12 feet tall.
Valent-ICE is very nice
Single? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Lincoln Country Club on Lake Michigan Drive is hosting the Rivertown Singles ‘Lady in Red’ Party on Sunday from 6:30 – 7:00 p.m. Both girls and guys are invited to wear red, a little, a lot, or another color entirely if you prefer – whichever makes you feel most comfortable. For $8 you’re privy to a cash bar, a dance floor, drawings, and a lot of singles looking to mingle.
Who says only couples get to go out and have fun on Valentine’s Day?
The venue will also incorporate Great Pumpkin artwork into other areas of its venue, providing the perfect setting for visitor photo ops with the Peanuts characters.
“We’re thrilled to work with Peanuts Worldwide and The MAiZE, Inc. as we customize our corn maze to celebrate It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” said Ed/Allan Robinette, Owner of Robinette’s. “Corn mazes are all about providing a fun and interactive experience for our visitors—even the adults feel like kids again! And that’s exactly what Peanuts does: Aren’t we all kids again when we see Snoopy and Charlie Brown? This is the perfect match of holiday traditions.”
