Bayfield orchard makes thousands of caramel apples for "Apple Fest"

BAYFIELD, Wisc. - It’s a tasty fall treat and one Bayfield orchard is making them fresh by the thousands, all in preparation for Apple Fest!

The caramel apple production is on!  At Apple Hill Orchard, caramel apples are their specialty.  "Everybody just says they are the best," said Apple Hill owner Claudia Ferraro.  Ferraro and a crew of her closest friends and family are working together to make thousands of these delicious fall treats.  "We couldn't do any of this if we didn't have the people to come and help us and we try to provide them with a unique caramel apple experience," said Ferraro.  Mary Beedlow of Bayfield makes sure she is part of this tasty production crew every fall.  "It’s like a family reunion when you come out here," said Beedlow.  And a regular assembly line with the apple sticker and caramel dipper.  "And I’m the roller and a wrapper," said Ferraro.  Justin Sexton is in charge of keeping the production line stocked with creamy caramel.  "We have to heat the caramel up to 180 degrees to get it to a soft enough temperature that I can put it in the warmers inside," said Sexton.  Once the temperature is reached, inside it goes.  "So I come in, grab a can, take it in, open it up," said Sexton.  And off it goes in the warmer.  "Nice & soft," said Sexton.

Apple Hill will make 7,000 caramel apples over 2 days.  From pecan, plain, peanut, M&M and toasted coconut; they hope to finish them all by this afternoon.  Their goal; to sell every one they make.  "I strictly sell caramel apples at the Apple Festival.  It’s always busy; the truck is loaded with apples," said Beedlow.  "She has people calling to make sure that she is going to be on the corner selling caramel apples from that little red truck," said Ferraro.

And on the sidelines of this assembly line, Claudia’s husband Bill.  "Bill grows apples and then we do this," said Ferraro.  "Right, that's her job.  She’s already told me if there was some way we could caramel every apple out here she said she could actually make me some money," said Bill Ferraro.  He spent the past couple weeks picking, grading and sorting apples for the busy weekend ahead.  "It’s a lot of fun, we have friends coming and we have a real good time," said Bill Ferraro.  "It’s always our goal in most things is to have a good time," said Claudia Ferraro.

Apple Hill Orchard sold 8,000 caramel apples during last years Bayfield Apple Festival.  The 3 day event kicks off Friday!