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How much are you willing to pay on a 'family event?' We loaded the car up with the kids for a good, old fashioned, fun, family apple picking day at a Southern Saratoga County apple orchard that I'll leave nameless (it's the one down the road from Grooms Corners in Rexford). Last year the kids had fun picking apples, we bought some cider and cider doughnuts, and there were some fun FREE activities for the kids to enjoy.

Not the case this year. 

The apple picking was still fun. Sadly, it was also the CHEAPEST part of the trip. I understand that Apple Farmers had a terrible Summer, many lost crop and the price of apples is a sure sign of how hard the growers were hit. Along with the higher than normal apple prices, the fun family activities also come with a cost. Pony rides, the play area, raceing the carts, and shooting apples all take tickets - and you can buy at ticket for 3 events for just $8.99! 

What was free (and what we ended up having the kids play one) was running on top of the bales of hay.

I hate to sound like "one of THOSE people" who gripe about paying for things in this tough economy... but when you start charging for events that involve children, you may want to give parents strapped for cash the heads up so we can choose to "come back another time."