2013 Van Wert Apple Fest this weekend

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

It’s time for all things apple, as the 27th edition of the Van Wert Apple Festival gets underway this weekend at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds. The event will run from 11 a.m.- 9 p.m. Friday, October 18, and from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, October 19.

In addition to fresh apples provided by local orchards, there will be a number of apple-related food items, including apple butter, cider, apple dumplings and apple pies. The festival will also feature demonstrations of apple butter making and cider pressing, while Ohio State University Extension Agent Curtis Young will have a presentation on apples from 2-3 p.m. Friday in the Junior Fair Building.

Other food vendors will also be on hand to provide other food items, including kettle corn, chili and a variety of sandwiches.

In addition to good food, free entertainment will be provided in the Junior Fair Building. Entertainment this year will include Trinity, Pam’s School of Dance and Blind Date, all to perform on Friday, while Katlyn Wendel, Kim Hohman’s DanceWorks and Nancy and Company will perform on Saturday.

The Homestead Donkeys and Petting Zoo will also be at the Apple Festival on Saturday, while a 1-mile fun run will take place at 11:30 Saturday morning.

The annual festival will also feature a craft exhibit that includes more than 85 exhibitors, while potted mums and a variety of other fall flowers will be available for purchase.

Other activities and events include face painting for the kids, children’s games provided by Kingsley United Methodist Church in rural Van Wert County, glass-blowing demonstrations, and an antique tractor pull.

A flu shot clinic will also be held Friday evening and Saturday morning, while wagon rides will be conducted both days of the festival and a model train display will also be set up at the festival both Friday and Saturday.

There’s plenty to do – and eat – for those attending this year’s Van Wert Apple Festival, so don’t miss out on the fun.