KENOSHA, Wis. — Unseasonably warm temperatures to begin the month of October have Wisconsinites picking apples and pumpkins in shorts and t-shirts.
“It feels more like the beginning of July instead of the beginning of October,” Meghan Grum said, who was at Jerry Smith Pumpkin Farm in Kenosha with her family Monday. “It’s very warm and you can’t wear any of your fall clothes.”
It’s typically the time of year for sweaters and leggings, but with temperatures nearly breaking records this week, people had to adapt.
“I would prefer to be out here in some leggings and a nice sweater, but here we are in summer attire,” said Lisa Grum.
Despite summer-like weather, co-owner Amy Smith said business has not wavered.
“We are busier when it’s a little cooler, but we have had some great crowds,” Smith said. “It’s like Indian summer and next week, they’ll come with all of their Halloween hats and winter coats.”
Apple Holler in Sturtevant, Wis., hit a record in terms of revenue one week ago. Owner David Flannery said much-needed rain in August made sure the apples were ready for peak picking.
“A week ago Sunday we had our busiest day in our history and we’ve been here for 36 years,” Flannery said. “As you know, most of Wisconsin was in a drought all summer and we got lucky with a couple of rainfalls just in time to allow the apples to start growing again."
Smith said the farm, which has been around since 1975, has not experienced a pumpkin season this warm in more than a decade.
“It was probably 10 to 12 years ago,” she said. “It was hot, but this is really hot.”
Temperatures will begin feeling much more fall-like later this week. Wisconsin will drop into the upper 50s by Friday.