This Maine Chocolate Factory Is Hosting A Halloween Party With Caramel Apples And Old-Fashioned Cider

An antique cider press, a table of caramel apples, and a room full of costumed kids. That’s how one chocolate factory in Maine celebrates Halloween, and I’m all for it.

Past parties here have let guests decorate their own caramel apples. Others had people building chocolate cauldrons while staff pressed fresh cider the old-fashioned way.Free samples came with the show.

Costumes are encouraged, and prizes have been part of the fun. I love that idea, because nothing says October like a tiny witch holding a sticky apple. The whole thing happens right next to a working candy kitchen.

So what else is going on inside this sweet little factory? Plenty, as it turns out. The Halloween fun is only one reason to make the trip, and the chocolate moose might be another.

Caramel Apples You Get To Decorate Yourself

Sticky fingers are basically the dress code at this party. Wilbur’s of Maine Chocolate Confections will host a Halloween event called Spooked to the Core at its Freeport factory store on October 24.

The star activity is simple and brilliant. Guests decorate their own caramel apples, turning a classic fall treat into a little work of art.

Caramel is a big deal here year-round. The shop makes its caramel in small batches with heavy cream, so this isn’t a random craft table snack.

Kids love this kind of activity for obvious reasons. Adults secretly love it too, because nobody judges you for adding one more topping.

Here’s a practical tip for families. Bring wet wipes, because caramel has a habit of following you to the car.

It also helps to plan your visit around the event date. Halloween activities have changed from year to year, so check the schedule before you go.

Some years feature caramel apples, while others offered chocolate cauldrons or monster treats. Either way, you leave with something you made yourself.

That beats a plastic pumpkin of store-bought candy any day. Honestly, it might ruin regular trick-or-treating for your kids forever.

An Antique Cider Press Steals The Show

Old machines have a special kind of charm. At past Halloween events, Wilbur’s has brought out an antique cider press for live demonstrations.

Watching apples turn into cider is surprisingly fun. You see the whole process happen, from whole fruit to golden juice, right in front of you.

Free apple cider samples have come with the demonstrations. That means you get a lesson and a snack, which is my favorite kind of education.

The 2025 Halloween Party, held on October 25, included these cider pressing demos too. Guests could sip cider while exploring games and crafts nearby.

Kids who think juice comes from a carton get a real eye-opener. It’s a sneaky science lesson disguised as a party.

Fresh cider also pairs nicely with chocolate. The tart apple flavor cuts through sweet treats, so your taste buds get a little break.

New England has a long love affair with apples and cider in the fall. Seeing an old press in action connects you to that tradition in a hands-on way.

Ask questions while you watch, too. The people running these demos usually enjoy sharing how it all works.

Wear The Costume, You Might Win Something

Your cape finally has a job. Wilbur’s has encouraged guests to show up in costume at its Halloween parties.

Better yet, costumes have come with a chance to win prizes. That turns a cute outfit into a possible reward, which is very motivating for small superheroes.

Festive games have also been part of the fun. The 2025 party paired those games with prizes and crafting, so there was plenty to keep kids busy.

Grown-ups can join in too. Nobody says a dad dressed as a giant chocolate bar can’t enter the spirit of things.

A quick costume tip helps here. Pick something easy to move in, because you’ll be decorating treats and leaning over tables.

Long sleeves and caramel don’t always get along. Maybe save the flowing wizard robe for another night.

Photos are part of the joy, of course. A costumed kid surrounded by chocolate is basically a holiday card waiting to happen.

Arrive with your camera ready and a good attitude. Prizes are fun, but the memories tend to last longer than the candy.

Cauldrons, Wands, And Rice Krispie Monsters

Chocolate cauldrons sound like something from a storybook. At the 2025 Halloween Party, guests actually got to craft them.

Wilbur’s has a fun habit of switching up its October themes. One year brought Rice Krispies Monsters, where guests decorated chocolate-covered Rice Krispie treats.

Another event was called A Hogwarts Halloween. Guests designed chocolate pretzel wands, which is a pretty tasty way to practice your spells.

There’s even been an escape room called Halloween Hideaway. That one adds puzzles and teamwork to the season’s spooky mood.

I like how each theme feels different. Families who come back every fall don’t have to repeat the same craft twice.

Kids with big imaginations will feel right at home. A wand, a monster, or a cauldron gives them a story to tell while they decorate.

The best part is that everything ends up edible. Your craft project doubles as dessert, which is a win for everyone except maybe your dentist.

Keep an eye on the event calendar each fall. The theme might surprise you, and that’s half the fun.

Peek Through The Window At Real Chocolatiers

Handmade really means handmade at this factory. Wilbur’s has a team of 12 chocolatiers who create thousands of pounds of confections each year with very little automation.

Visitors can watch through viewing windows into the production area. It’s a rare chance to see how your favorite treats come together.

Timing matters if you want the full show. Production generally runs from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Weekend visitors may see a quiet kitchen instead. Plan a weekday stop if watching candy get made is high on your list.

Wilbur’s also offers chocolate factory tours and other events throughout the year. These go beyond the window and teach you more about the craft.

The company tries to use locally sourced ingredients when it can. That’s a nice touch for a business so rooted in Maine.

Kids especially love seeing the process. Watching chocolate get mixed and shaped answers the classic question of where candy comes from.

It also makes the treats feel more special. Once you’ve seen the work, every truffle seems a little more impressive.

Say Hello To A Chocolate Moose

Every candy shop needs a mascot, and this one is a moose. Wilbur the Moose was one of the company’s early creations, dreamed up by founder Tom Wilbur.

The lineup goes far beyond that famous moose. Meltaway Truffles, Maine Sea Salt Caramels, and Pecan and Cashew Turtles all have their fans.

Those turtles even have a nickname. They’re also known as Tom’s Terrific Turtles, which is a very fun thing to say out loud.

Blueberry lovers should look for Chocolate Covered Blueberries. They’re the shop’s top-selling panned item, and that tells you a lot.

Traditional Needhams deserve a try too. This Maine classic is a must for anyone curious about regional sweets.

Then there are Gummy Lobstahs. Yes, that spelling is on purpose, and yes, it’s adorable.

Chocolate fans who want something bolder can try the dark meltaways and truffles. They lean more toward rich chocolate than pure sugar.

You’ll also spot Maine Mud sauces in ten flavors and molded chocolates shaped like lighthouses and hunting boots. Good luck leaving with just one bag.

A Family Story That Started On Bow Street

Back in 1983, Tom and Catherine Carty-Wilbur opened a small retail shop on Bow Street in Freeport, Maine. That little shop grew into a much bigger sweet story.

Factory production moved to its current Lower Main Street home in 2008. The same year, their son Andy Wilbur joined the family business.

Andy left his mark quickly. He created the popular Meltaway Truffles line and took ownership of the company in 2016.

That’s a nice example of a family business growing across generations. The founders built the base, and the next generation added new flavors.

Awards followed along the way. Tom and Catherine received the Gowell Award in 2012 from the New England Retail Confectioner’s Association.

The shop has also earned 16 consecutive wins for Maine’s Best Chocolate and Maine’s Best Candy Shop wins in the DownEast Magazine Reader Poll. That’s a serious streak.

Knowing the history makes a visit feel more personal. You’re supporting a family that has been making candy here for decades.

The original Bow Street location still operates downtown too. Fans can visit both and compare the experience.

Stock Up On Maine Goodies Beyond Chocolate

Not everyone in your group may crave chocolate, and that’s okay. The factory store carries a broad selection of Maine-made foods and products.

That makes this a handy stop for gifts. You can grab treats for yourself and souvenirs for the folks back home in one trip.

Premium chocolate bars line the shelves too. There are also fun molded pieces like Maine lobstering chocolate bars.

Those make clever presents for anyone who loves the coast. A solid chocolate lighthouse beats another fridge magnet, in my opinion.

The Maine Mud Dark Chocolate and Caramel Sauces are another smart pick. They come in nine flavors, so ice cream night at home gets an upgrade.

Planning ahead helps if you’re shopping for many people. Make a quick list so you don’t wander the aisles adding everything to your basket.

Then again, wandering is half the fun. You might find a Maine treat you never knew existed.

Holiday shoppers should keep this store in mind for fall and winter. Halloween leads right into gift season, and the timing works nicely.

Plan Your Freeport Stop The Easy Way

Finding the factory store is simple. Wilbur’s of Maine Chocolate Confections sits at 174 Lower Main St, Freeport, ME 04032.

The shop lists daily hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hours can shift with the seasons, so a quick check before you go is smart.

Comfort is covered once you arrive. The store offers handicap access, public restrooms, air conditioning, and wireless internet.

Groups are welcome as well. The factory store is set up to host bus tours, which is great news for school trips and travel clubs.

Freeport is a popular shopping town in Maine, so this stop fits easily into a day out. Pair it with a stroll downtown, where Wilbur’s also has a Bow Street store.

Families traveling farther up the coast have another option too. A Wilbur’s shop also operates on Maine Street in Brunswick.

For the Halloween party, arrive early and dress warmly for any outdoor cider fun. October in Maine can feel crisp.

Then go home happy, sticky, and stocked with chocolate. That sounds like a pretty perfect fall afternoon.