Delmont gives Apple'n Arts organizers the go-ahead to plan fall festival's comeback
As more and more public events begin happening in the wake of slowing covid-19 infections, Delmont officials gave Apple’n Arts organizers the go-ahead to start preparing for a 2021 festival.
“I’d say go for it, whatever you can do, do it,” borough Councilwoman Becky Matesevac said.
The Delmont Apple’n Arts Festival is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 2 and Sunday, Oct. 3 at Shields Farm.
In the past, the festival has brought more than 20,000 people to the borough’s Shields Farm for a weekend of live music, fall fun and of course, plenty of apple-themed treats and activities.
“We’re in the very early stages, and we haven’t done any fundraising yet,” said festival organizer Brandy Walters.
After canceling the 2020 Apple’n Arts Festival last August, Walters said festival board members will again look to try to hold down costs by scaling back the annual fall celebration.
“Things like the train and the petting zoo are very expensive,” Walters said. “We’re going to be much smaller this year.”
Normally at this point in the year, Walters said the festival committee has already received applications from about 100 vendors that regularly attend the festival.
“Right now we have 21 signed up,” she said. “Although, we haven’t officially announced yet that we’re moving forward. Hopefully that number will grow.”
Walters said members of the Fort Allen Antique Farm Equipment Association are still working out the details as to how the festival’s centerpiece feature — the pressing and sale of apple cider using a 114-year-old apple press — may be handled this year.
“Fort Allen is in the same boat as we are, financially,” she said.
The festival will also not be running shuttle buses from parking lots to Shields Farm, and council members said they would work with the festival committee to try and find alternate parking.
Volunteers needed
Walters added that they are “desperate for volunteers,” and anyone interested in volunteering can reach out through the DelmontAppleNArts.com website, or call 724-325-8867.
Mayor Alyce Urban said she’s happy to hear the festival is looking to make a comeback.
“I think you’re on the right track,” Urban said. “You’re scaling down and you’re seeing what you can do.”
Patrick Varine is a TribLive reporter covering Delmont, Export and Murrysville. He is a Western Pennsylvania native and joined the Trib in 2010 after working as a reporter and editor with the former Dover Post Co. in Delaware. He can be reached at pvarine@triblive.com.
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