Today is a really good day to call in sick from work and take a trip to Homeastead for Knaus Berry Farm's opening day.
The farm opens for the season at 8 a.m., which means one thing to Miamians: warm, gooey cinnamon rolls.
Knaus traditionally reopens in November but for the past few seasons has been swinging its doors wide a few days early. Each year, thousands of Miamians make the pilgrimage south about an hour to the Redland for a taste of tradition.
The bakery/market was founded in 1956 by brothers Ray and Russell Knaus, who sold freshly picked berries from a roadside stand not far from where the current farm sits today. The brothers soon expanded to include pies, breads, and other baked goods when a fruit broker told Ray's wife Barbara that her cookies were good enough to sell.
Today the farm is still in the family, run by Ray and Barbara's children and their families, and Knaus has expanded to also offer fruit shakes, local vegetables, and preserves. The farm also offers U-pick strawberries and tomatoes later in the season.
Though there are some modern touches, including new baking ovens and a professional-looking menu board, many things have stayed the same over the decades. The farm, closed during the summer, remains shuttered Sundays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. And Knaus accepts only cash, so get thee to an ATM before you get in line.
Speaking of lines, if you do decide to be the first one on your block to get a taste of those decadent, delicious cinnamon rolls, expect a long wait. Queues for the first day of Knaus' season get long, with eager customers waiting hours for cinnamon rolls.
Knaus Berry Farm is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. A dozen cinnamon rolls cost $9.75, a half-dozen runs $5.25, and individual rolls are $1 each.