The 44th Hilton Apple Fest was held on October 3 and 4. The splendid combination of events was enhanced by perfect fall weather of bright sunshine and cool temperatures. People from all over convened to celebrate fall, and the spirit of Hilton’s apple heritage made it memorable.
The Village Historian’s Office was alive with visitors of all ages.
Joyce Pennell traveled the farthest, all the way from California, to attend the Apple Fest and catch up with old friends. Hank Ross, a veteran who served in World War II from 1943-45, was the oldest attendee. At 102, Hank entertained many of the visitors with firsthand accounts of his service as a waist gunner on 50 bombing missions over Romania, Austria, and Italy.
Many youngsters came in with their parents to try out the famous 1880s apple peeler, which can peel an apple in five seconds.
Those who enjoyed them said the perfectly peeled Honeycrisp apples from Zarpentine Farms were delicious. Youngsters were encouraged to toss their 2.5-foot-long, half-inch-wide red apple peel over their head to form an initial. According to an old wife’s tale from the Hilton’s Collamer family, that initial would be the first letter of the youngster’s first girlfriend or boyfriend. The kids looked quizzical while the rest of the onlookers enjoyed a chuckle.
In the afternoon, the twins arrived to peel an apple. They had been peelers in 2025, accompanied by their grandmother and mother, and that was the first thing they wanted to do when they arrived at the festival this year.
All in all, spirits were high both days as the larger community came together to celebrate the fall harvest season in Hilton.
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