The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
APPLE LOVERS GATHER AT FESTIVAL
Aficionados from all over indulge in festivities
Apple lovers by the thousands made their way to Lake Metroparks’ Farmpark in Kirtland Sept. 22 to partake in the venue’s Apple Butter & Cider Festival.
The relatively new event has been a big hit with families from all over Northeast Ohio during its three-year tenure at Farmpark, 8800 Euclid Chardon Road in Kirtland, according to the park’s event manager.
“We started the apple festival three years ago and it has quickly become one of the most popular themed events at Farmpark,” Andy McGovern said Sept. 22. “It attracts families from all over (Northeast Ohio). You’ve got the apple-butter making, the apple cider, the corn maze and so many other activities...”
Among the other activities are the horse-drawn wagon, tractor and barreltrain rides, which McGovern said garner lots of participants.
He said the festival came together three years ago when Lake Metroparks thought it would make an appropriate, seasonal event that combines some of the programs Farmpark has
“We started the apple festival three years ago and it has quickly become one of the most popular themed events at Farmpark.”
— Event manager Andy McGovern
offered to area schools, in which cider-making and other apple-centric and other seasonal lessons are components.
“We just thought: ‘Let’s combine, in one event, the apple-making processes...,” he said.
He said the weekend now begins with a private, adults-only dinner on Friday night, featuring some products from Debonne Vineyards, along with J & J Catering, which kicks off the two-day able extravaganza.
By about 3 p.m. Sept. 22, McGovern said the main event had already gone through roughly 45 gallons of cider, much of which was donated by Patterson Fruit Farm in Chester Township.
But don’t just take an organizer’s words for it. The Apple Butter & Cider Festival seems to be a highvalue attraction for people of all ages, from either side of Cleveland.
“We come every year,” said Jessica Madden, a Willowick resident who was there with three of her daughters: 6-year-old Claire, 9-year-old Gabby and 12-year-old Grace.
She said she’d recommend the event to anyone.
“Oh, yes. I’d recommend it to people,” she said. “It’s well organized and you get your money’s worth. It’s good, I’d say, for all ages and it’s never disappointing.”
Her daughters agreed, saying they like all the hands-on activities, including the corn maze, the tractor rides, the apple cider and cider slushies.
Another area family - the Pepples from Avon Lake, who are card-holding Farmpark members - said they were enjoying their first time at the event.
“We actually just reupped our membership . It’s our second year now. I love this place,” said Alexei People, who was at the event with wife, Bianca, and daughters: 3-year-old Julia and 6-year-old Emma.
Both Alexei and Bianca agreed they like the variety of hands-on activities Farmpark has to offer their family. Plus, they said, the place is especially enjoyable for their family when there’s an event like the Apple Butter & Cider Festival happening.
“Every time they put on a festival like this, it’s a lot of fun,” Alexei said. “But it’s a beautiful place and a lot of fun, anyhow.” Bianca agreed. “It’s nice that there are so many hands-on activities here,” she said. “It keeps (the children) busy and they’re entertained.”
She added that “I love that they have a chance to throw the apples into the cider maker. They really enjoyed that.”
Another family - the Flemings from Mentor said they also enjoyed the attractions people of all ages can enjoy at the event.
“I think this is great,” said Chris Fleming, who was at the Sept. 22 event with wife, Stefanie; sons Breaker, 17 months, and Major, 6, along with 4-year-old daughter, Charlee. “There’s something for everyone from the food and the music to the rides and handson activities. Really, there’s just something for all ages.”
Stefanie agreed, adding that she’d recommend the event to anyone.
“Oh, without a doubt, I’d recommend it,” she said.
The Lake Metroparks’ Farmpark Apple Butter & Cider Festival’s last day runs Sept. 23 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Along with the help Patterson Fruit Farm Debonne Vineyards and J&J Catering lent to the event, other sponsors include Ganley Subaru East, Centerra Coop, Discount Drug Mart, Chagrin Pet, Garden & Power Equipment and Playground World.
“Every time they put on a festival like this, it’s a lot of fun. But it’s a beautiful place and a lot of fun, anyhow.”
— Alexei People, who was at the event with wife, Bianca, and daughters: 3-year-old Julia and 6-year-old Emma