Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 8-9—BELMONT—Cider Days in Mount Holly will entice apple lovers to head to Belmont over Columbus weekend, Oct. 8-9. Over the years, the Cider Days festival has become one of the most important fall festivals in the Okemo Valley. Held every Columbus Day weekend, the event revolves around a 100-plus year-old antique cider press. This old press employs the “rack and cloth” method of pressing cider and it is a unique attraction, which holds young and old alike spellbound as they watch, and listen to, the old press do its work.
Now in its 28th year, Cider Days has continued to grow, attracting as many as 800 people to the crossroads in the village of Belmont in Mount Holly. The event is organized by the Mount Holly Community Association and the proceeds go to support the events sponsored by the MHCA, and also the library and community center. Hot and cold cider by the cup is for sale at the gazebo on the green. Gallon jugs of fresh pressed cider “cold” off the press will be available. There will be local homemade apple pie and apple crisp, with ice cream or Crowley cheese. Cider Days tee shirts will be available, as well as archival photos from the annual photo contest—peruse the photos, take the ones you like and leave a donation. There will be 36 local artisans, bakers, farmers, and food vendors that fill the green with the pleasures of the fall season.
Other activities on the weekend include a huge book sale by the local library and the annual calendar photo contest, which taps into the creativity of the community. Photos submitted are displayed anonymously in the library and everyone is invited to cast a vote, including all visitors to Cider Days.
Later that evening, the Odd Fellows’ Hall will host a roast beef supper served family style, with seatings at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. The cost is $12 for adults and $5 for children under 12. The special treat of this supper is selection of 40 homemade pies for dessert.
Photo Courtesy of Mount Holly Community Association
Fresh cider will be aplenty during Mount Holly’s 28th Cider Days, held over Columbus Day weekend.
