Fewer apples aren’t putting a damper on Applefest

By Kristen Oelschlagel.

There are fewer local apples this year, but that isn’t stopping one area festival from using all the apples they can.

Brighton is holding its 38^th annual Applefest this weekend. Chair of the Applefest committee, Carol Loader, says they have taken the poor apple crop into consideration but it’s not affecting the activities or attractions.

“One of the big things with Applefest is our big lighthouse and it’s covered in apples. We did debate whether we should be doing that this year or not and Mr. Dunnett supplied the apples for that from Dunnett’s Orchard,” said Loader.

“The apples go back there (the orchard), they don’t get wasted. They go back there and get used for juice.”

Applefest events kick off September 28 with a guided walk through Proctor Park, an apple pie baking contest and a children’s video dance. The festival runs until September 30 with events such as an antique tractor display, street fair and the annual Applefest parade.

Loader said there are also some new events this year.

“Our biggest event that we’re really promoting this year is the new Brighton Lions Children’s Village. There’s a juggler, balloon twister, two magic shows, Blades of Glory, which is a medieval story telling, a petting zoo, face painting.”

Close to 50 volunteers are enlisted to help make the weekend a success and Loader said the event usually sees over 20,000 people coming to Brighton over the weekend.

Most events are free but there is an admission cost for some, the price varies by event. The festival will run rain or shine.

For more information and a complete schedule of events visit test.adgo.ca/brightonapplefest.