Apple festival to offer fall fun
Visit Joanna Furnace Iron Works, near Morgantown, and the Hay Creek Apple Festival Oct. 13 and 14. The Hay Creek Historians will once again tempt your taste buds at one of the most family-friendly festivals in southeastern Pennsylvania.
The traditional fall apple harvest is firmly rooted within our local rural heritage and culture. The aroma of fresh apples in the cool autumn air brings back pleasant recollections to adults and creates distinct memories for our children. For over 30 years, parents have made this event a family tradition. Today’s parents who came to the event as kids are now returning with grandparents and their own children.
The Hay Creek Historical Association Volunteers strive to create a unique kind of event where visitors savor homemade apple fare, experience fun for the entire family and become engaged in the historic iron furnace complex. This is an event where every family member has the opportunity to enjoy themselves and each other.
Visitors arrive early and start the day with the renowned Hay Creek allyou-can-eat apple pancake breakfast, served from 7 to 11 a.m. both days. Then throughout each day, every imaginable traditional 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 continuous demonstrations. Experience freshly pressed Hay Creek Cider by the cup or by the gallon to take home.
The menu includes the uniting of traditional early American dishes with such additional favorites as apple dumplings, apple pies, apple crisp, homemade caramel apples with various toppings, apple sausage sandwiches, apple fritters, hot mulled cider and the freshly pressed cider. Another local traditional recipe, Schnitz un Knepp (apples, dumplings, and ham) is always a special treat.
And not to be missed is Mabel’s Iron-Kettle Soups, cooked to perfection over actual open fires. (Chicken Corn, Beef Vegetable, Ham and bean with rivels). Mabel’s Iron-Kettle Soups recipes can be traced back to the meals served to 19thcentury furnace workers’ families. These signature soups are also available by the quart for taking home and can be frozen to be enjoyed later.
The menu gets even wider . . . chicken pot pie (also available by the quart for taking home), pulled pork sandwiches, hamburgers, hot dogs, French fries, soda, water and coffee plus 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.
Due to popular demand, on Friday, Oct. 12, from noon to 5 pm only, individuals, businesses and families will be able to stop by and pick up bulk amounts of apple pies, apple dumplings and apple crisp. These Hay Creek baked delicacies will be frozen and packaged in aluminum containers ready for you to take home and heat and eat.
Please note, the full event is not open on Friday. However, the site is open Friday from noon to 5 p.m.
FESTIVAL » PAGE 2