Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Crowds pack the annual Apple Fest
OXFORD » Attending the annual Apple Festival at Memorial Park was like going to the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia: It was so big, and there were so many stations, that you needed a map to get around.
Other than that, the mood was definitely more country than city — except for the scrapple (which, it seems, is popular all over the area).
The festival, which started its tradition in 1989, was established to benefit the church and its renovations. But now, it provides support for various local causes, and this year it was the new, all-inclusive playground with which it shared the land on Saturday.
The offerings were numerous and likely to bring satisfaction to any appetite or yearning.
For the children, there were games including the ever-popular bounce house. There were also local mascots like the Oxford Hornet roaming around ready to shake hands and greet guests, and musicians played throughout the day.
And there was food — plenty of it. In addition to the traditional barbecued hot dogs and hamburgers, there was a large station that offered big hunks of scrapple topped by stewed apples. This was very popular, especially to the southern Chester County crowd.
Another food station that attracted a lot of attention was an antique cider-apple squasher run by Phil Tacey. Children were invited to put their muscles into turning the wheel and they watched as they mushed up the apples and cider came out the bottom.
For the first time, a blacksmith was present. He not only showed off elegant metal creations he had made, but he also demonstrated his skill with the hammer, anvil and heat.
Another table that prompted conversations and attention was the bee keepers. They brought a working hive encased in glass as well as a supply of honey those bees had made to sell. They said their bees, and bees in general, were not endangered if they are well cared for.
In short, everywhere in the park there was evidence of people’s crafts and the products of their creativity: jewelry, artwork, gourmet food, needle crafts and basket raffles.
One couple even showed off (and sold) lamps that were fashioned out of antiques they had found. They also had stories to tell about most of them.
The attendance was huge.
It may be that Oxford is a small town, but on the occasion of an attractive event or festival the folks turn out in great numbers. And they chat. One of the most interesting booths was the one run by Marcus Kellermann.
Aware of the scramble that the borough made last December to organize its own Wreaths Across America ceremony because fund raising had fallen short, he organized a campaign to raise money this year for the national event. He was sharing information with anyone who would stop by, and he said they need $13,000 this year to get back into the national arena. The deadline in Nov. 27 for the fund raising, and the event in the cemetery is Dec. 16.
There was plenty to fill the day.
Meanwhile, the people kept arriving, eating and chatting all afternoon.
For Oxford, it was just what they are good at: throwing an outdoor party.