By Karrie Etzler
FAIR HAVEN—The usually tranquil town green of Fair Haven became abuzz with activities last Saturday, Sept. 17, as students and community members alike, turned out in droves to support the Fair Haven Grade School’s annual Applefest.
Sunny skies and warm temperatures in the low 70s provided the perfect conditions for the family-centered event which got underway at 10 a.m. and turned out, as was expected, to be another huge success.
The event featured an array of beautifully-decorated booths offering a myriad of fun shopping opportunities, with some vendors traveling from neighboring communities to participate in the annual fun day. Fresh apples were readily available, along with an assortment of lip-smacking apple treats. So too was maple syrup and a wide assortment of maple candies, fried dough and other luscious, kid-friendly snacks.
For lovers of vintage items, there were booths showcasing antique furniture and custom-made wood carvings, which also ensured grown-ups were not left out of the shopping opportunities.
But, in addition to teasing and pleasing their palettes, youngsters also got a chance to learn more about goats and how to care for these animals. A booth, outfitted with baby goats also offered a petting station, and received continuous visits throughout the day from curious children, who were excited to have some quality time with the adorable creatures.
The festivities did not end there. It also included a concert, put on by the Fair Haven Grade School music band. The 30-minute show was a highpoint of Applefest 2016, and saw students showcasing their musical dexterity on a variety of instruments, including saxophones, trombones, clarinets and flutes; as parents, friends and neighbors watched and applauded the budding musicians throughout the performances.
Several faculty members from the Fair Haven Grade School evoked copious rounds of applause when they participated at the well-loved, water dunking booth. One by one, they braved the inevitable outcome of cold water falling on their heads as they became ‘sitting ducks’ under a bucket of water. Unsurprisingly, this was the most popular booth at Applefest 2016, evident in the enthusiasm and reception of both present and past students.
Applefest has been taking place now for over 25 years. In speaking to Mountain Times, Deborah Smith, assistant principal of the Fair Haven Grade School expressed her appreciation to the community for their continued support of the event.
“The community really came out and showed their support for this great family event. The funds raised from Applefest are shared by our teachers to be used in their classrooms for funding special activities etc. We look forward to Applefest 2017 and hope for continued support and success,” Smith said.
Photo by Karrie Etzler
A girl feeds baby goats at the 2016 annual Applefest