Donald Trump isn’t coming to Maine on Thursday, but he’s sending family, specifically son Eric and daughter-in-law Lara.

And they’re going apple picking.

The Maine Republican Party announced three visits in Maine by Eric and Lara Trump, including stops at the Auburn and Bangor Trump presidential campaign headquarters. The third stop is at Ricker Hill Orchards in Turner, well known for its hard apple cider, cider doughnuts and wide array of varieties of apples.

“I am told they want to look around the farm,” said Jeff Timberlake, a Republican legislator and member of the Ricker family. Timberlake runs the farmstand. “They called up at 7 o’clock this morning and said would it be all right if Eric and Lara stopped by. What am I supposed to say, ‘No’?”

Donald Trump was due in Maine Thursday for what would be his fourth appearance in the state, at the Portland Expo, but canceled over the weekend, citing a campaign routing issue, city spokeswoman Jessica Grondin said. Eric, 32, is coming in his place.

If Trump signs appear on the property, Timberlake will not be putting them there. “I suppose somebody will probably put something up,” he said. “I don’t even put my own signs up.”

He is up for re-election, for what will be his fourth term. But he will not be making a “big deal” of his proximity to the Trump family members. Nor will he be holding a ladder if they get the urge to participate in U-pick. He’s busy.

“We’re picking apples and cranberries,” he said. “We’re farming.”

Trump’s third-born child and his wife, will be welcome to Ricker’s finest products, however.

“I suspect they will sample a dumpling,” Timberlake said.

Mary Pols can be contacted at 791-6456 or at:

mpols@pressherald.com

Twitter: MaryPols

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