Apple Blossom Festival memories, circa 1960s

The month of May meant it was time for The Apple Blossom Festival at Blue Jay Orchards in Bethel. Under the ownership of Mr. Robert Josephy, and the festival leadership committee of local citizens, they did a great job planning a fun day for families.

Being fortunate to live within walking distance, it was fun looking at cars piled with people making their way there, building the excitement. As a kid, this was simply the greatest day to look forward to, and it was close to my birthday, a double celebration! Everyone was welcomed, seeing friends, walking the midway, trying to choose where to stop for a moment. Booths with homemade food, ice cream, pony rides for the kids, white elephant and educational tables for future agriculturalists to learn about farming. Like any other kid, we met our friends, we ran and we played. The hayrides were jammed with young and old, which took us on a tour of the orchards where all the trees were in bloom bursting with the prettiest white blossoms.

Being a kid, I didn’t think about all the hard work local citizens contributed to make this a successful Bethel celebration. The old fashioned newspaper reporting done in the ’60s, where everyone was mentioned — just lovely. Reaching foot traffic in 1967 of 5,500 speaks to the community’s enjoyment of the festival. After expenses, the monies raised when back into the Bethel community in various projects to make the town better.

In today’s world we yearn to feel the way we did then. It may not be possible and not only because we are no longer children. But some of us have memories of a time or a place when we felt safe. No matter the circumstance we are in today, we can always go back to that place. My hope is that we all have a Blue Jay Orchard. Thank you Mr. Josephy for letting thousands of people in the community enjoy your property. A heartfelt thank you to the Bethel Library for sharing 1960s historical articles from our local newspapers.

What would we do without a community of good-hearted citizens, a successful gentleman farmer who opened is property to everyone and the local library housing history.

I decorated my entry for the 2020 annsplacefestivaloftrees.org in honor of Blue Jay Orchards and Mr. Josephy. Thank you for the wonderful memories that bring me joy to this day. Suzanne Migdol

Danbury Note: The author grew up on Old Hawleyville Road in Bethel.