Sununu marks start of apple picking season with visit to McKenzie's Farm for ceremonial first pick

N.H. Gov. Chris Sununu, inset, will be at McKenzie's Farm Wednesday for the ceremonial first pick of this year's apple crop, seen already in full swing at McKenzie's. (Courtesy photos)

MILTON - New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu will kick off the state's Apple Day with a stop at McKenzie's Farm on Wednesday where he will pick a macintosh as the ceremonial first pick of the season.

Sununu's appearance is part of the 9th Annual New England Apple Day, which will be celebrated across the Northeast.

Each state will be celebrating their own start of the 2017 apple harvest season with a visit to a local orchard.

Sununu will be accompanied by Commissioner of Agriculture, Lorraine Merrill and orchard hosts, the McKenzie Family.

Brett McKenzie said today that his mom, Annie McKenzie as well as Merrill, Chuck Souther of the New England Apple Growers Assoc. and the governor will be making brief remarks before Sununu around 9:25 a.m. will pick the first apple, a macintosh.

"We feel fortunate that he chose us," said Brett McKenzie, who added that this year's crop of apples has been "fantastic."

He said visitors are already picking zeestars! and ginger gold apples, followed soon by the macs and later many other varieties including the everpopular honeycrisp around Sept. 20.

Also as part of the festivities there will be a brief tour of McKenzie's facilities.

New England Apple Day was established as a way to remind people that harvest season has begun at their local apple orchards and it's a great time to visit.

For information on where to find NH apples visit www.agriculture.nh.gov or www.nhfruitgrowers.org.