Michigan Orchard and Cider Mill Cancels Trump Rally, Say ‘Miscommunication’ Occurred
Blake's Farms, which has three family-owned orchards and makes Blake's Hard Cider, has canceled an event this Friday, saying they were not aware that it was going to be a rally in support of Donald Trump.
MLive reports that Republican congressional candidate Lisa McClain made the reservation at the popular cider mill and orchard in northern Macomb County.
In a statement, Blake's says they agreed to let McClain rent the private space under the assumption that it was a small private gathering.
Later they learned it was a Trump rally and the Blake family was presumed to be in support of it.
According to MLive,
McClain planned the rally to support "President Donald Trump and Our Police," according to the original flyer posted on Facebook by McClain. The flyer said the rally at Blake's Big Apple orchard in Armada was hosted by the Roncelli and Blake families.
People expressed their thoughts about this on social media, with some saying they'd no longer support Blake's products.
The rally flyer has since been removed from social media.
Blake's says the event was canceled, "when we learned that the McClain campaign was positioning this as an event to support President Trump and using the Blake's Family name to do so."
Andrew Blake, President of Blake's Family Farms tells MLive,
"Over the past 75 years we've have had political events, paid events, dinner parties, never taking a side. Historically it hasn't been an issue."
After seeing McClain's post that made it clear it was a rally and indicated the Blake's family support, Blake said, "it was just something that we didn't believe we agreed to or signed up for."
MLive reports that McClain has said a new location for the rally will be announced soon.
In the above video shared to Facebook, Andrew Blake addresses the situation.