Farm to reopen; autumn tradition returns.

In a sign that fall has arrived in South Florida, Knaus Berry Farm in Homestead is back — and so are the fresh-made, gooey cinnamon rolls that have become an annual tradition.

Closed since spring, the 61-year-old farm had a practice run Monday before its official reopening at 8 a.m. today.

Some early birds in-theknow stopped by to get their first taste, as the succulent aroma of baked cinnamon rolls spilled out of the farm and into the surrounding farms and nurseries.

Inside, above the registers, a large sign had the items and prices written in chalkboard. Cinnamon rolls run $10.25 for a dozen, $5.50 for a half-dozen, and $1.10 each.

Jay Fritz, 37, of downtown Miami, said he was in the area taking photos with his kids at a pumpkin patch when he decided to swing by Knaus and pick up a box of cinnamon rolls.

“They are delicious and fresh-made, farm-made,” said Fritz, who has been buying cinnamon rolls here for about six years. “It’s a tradition.”

Customers have been known to stand in long lines outside waiting for the must-have rolls, as well as milkshakes, cookies and pies and other sweet treats.

“I think it’s cheap entertainment,” said the farm’s head of operations, Thomas Blocher, laughing. “[Monday] is just practice. We just try to do a good job and try to make sure it’s a quality product.”

The farm was started as a roadside strawberry stand by brothers Ray and Russell Knaus in 1956. Today, it has 12 employees in the bakery and 30 overall. The farm closes each spring and reopens in late October or early November.

JOHNNY DIAZ/STAFF Closed since spring, the 61-year-old farm at 15980 SW 248th St., Redland, had a practice run Monday before its official reopening at 8 a.m. today.