Weber's Cider Mill Farm on Proctor Lane in Parkville typically closes for the winter season after New Year's and opens again in the early spring. In 2011, though, they won't reopen until July 21, when peach season begins.

According to Administrative Assistant Marge Murphy of Parkville, owners Steve and Jo-Ann Weber have been in running the farm for more than 30 years and need a longer break to spend time with their grandchildren.

The six weeks between the farm's Johnny Appleseed Festival in September and Halloween is Weber's busiest time of year, said Murphy. During that time, the farm offers pick-your-own apples and has pumpkins for sale, and opens its barnyard activity area, complete with hayrides, straw mazes, scarecrow workshops, farm animals, huge hill slides and more. Murphy said business slows a bit in early November and then picks up again before Thanksgiving. In addition to the apple cider Weber's has been known for for more than 60 years, the farm's market and bakery offer homemade pies, as well as fresh turkeys pasture-raised on the farm.

This Thanksgiving, Weber's sold approximately 3,400 pies and 400 turkeys. All the pies are baked right on the premises by three shifts of bakers working around-the-clock for two to three days.

"Apple and pumpkin [pies] are our best sellers," said Murphy. "The apple caramel walnut is also popular." In all, Weber's offers more than 20 varieties of homemade fruit pies for sale throughout the year, along with breads, rolls, muffins, cider doughnuts, homemade fudge and hand-dipped ice cream.

There's still time to pick up a homemade pie, fresh turkey, or some apple cider from Weber's for your Christmas or New Year's celebration. The market and bakery is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week between now and Dec. 31. They are closed on Christmas Day, and close at 4 p.m. Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.

Pies and turkeys can be ordered in person, online, or by phone, but all Christmas pie orders must be placed by 4 p.m. Wednesday.

Another reason to stop in – Murphy said that all Christmas items are currently 30 percent off in the market's gift shop area.