Hay Creek Apple Festival ... Eat like you haven’t eaten in 200 years!

Joanna Furnace ironworks celebrates an old-fashioned apple harvest during the Hay Creek Apple Festival, the second weekend in October, Saturday, Oct. 8, and Sunday, Oct. 9.

This weekend, as for the past 35 years, Historic Joanna Furnace Ironworks becomes the setting for the area’s premier family — apple attraction featuring the enjoyment of delicious, homemade apple foods, out- of-the-ordinary family fun and immersion in local history of the ironworks and village.

Even today, the fall apple harvest is strongly associated with our local rural culture. The aroma of fresh apples in the cool autumn air brings back pleasant memories to adults and creates special memories for our children. For over 30 years, parents have made this event a family tradition. The youngsters who came to this Festival during its early years are now bringing their own children back to help them create their memories.

Visitors can start the day with the all-you-caneat apple pancake breakfast, served from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. both days. Then throughout each day, every imaginable apple food is available . . . from freshly pressed cider to fritters, pies, tarts, dumplings, and so much more. The 19th century Joanna Furnace apple cider press will be operating throughout each day with contin- uous demonstrations. Experience freshly pressed Hay Creek Cider by the cup or by the gallon to take home.

Also in the food court, traditional apple foods like Schnitz un Knepp (apples, dumplings, and ham) and apple butter are always a special treat. Additional delights available include roasted nuts, kettle corn and a large variety of freshly picked apples by the bag.

The menu includes the uniting of traditional early American dishes with such additional favorites as apple dumplings, apple pies, apple crisp, homemade caramel appleswith various toppings, apple sausage sandwiches, apple fritters, candy apples, hot mulled cider and the freshly pressed cider. And not to be missed is Mabel’s Iron-Kettle Soup, cooked to perfection over open fires. (Chicken Corn, Beef Vegetable, Ham& bean with rivels). Mabel’s IronKettle Soups recipes can be traced back to the 19th century. They are also available by the quart for take home and you can freeze themfor eating later. And if anyone wants an even wider menu . . . chicken pot pie (also available by the quart for take home), hamburgers, hot dogs, French fries, soda, water and coffee and additional festive foods and beverages are always available.

Many visitors make a point of purchasing our soups, pot pie and apple baked dessert goods to take home and freeze in preparation for entertaining and holiday meals.