Apple country: Sparta and the Fruit Ridge

The countryside northwest of Grand Rapids sits on a long, high band of land. Locals call it the Fruit Ridge, or just “the Ridge.” At its center is the town of Sparta. It’s one of the best places in the world to grow fruit. The soil is rich and holds moisture. The ground rises more than 800 feet. And nearby Lake Michigan fends off the late-spring frosts that would kill the blossoms. All of that makes the Ridge close to perfect for apples. By some counts, more than half of all the apples grown in Michigan come from this one stretch of countryside. And Michigan is one of the top apple-growing states in the country. Sparta has been fruit country since the 1840s. Every September it hosts the Michigan Apple Fest. Come fall, the Ridge fills up with families heading out to pick their own apples. They load up on fresh cider and warm donuts, too. The orchards and cider mills sit by the dozens along the back roads.

You can find the Michigan Apple Fest’s dates and schedule at michiganapplefest.com.