Each fall, the people from throughout the area and beyond celebrate the autumn season with a special community celebration, Hilton Apple Fest. This year, the Apple Fest will take place on Saturday, September 30 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, October 1 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the grounds of the Hilton Community Center located on East Avenue in the village of Hilton. During this two-day event, almost 70,000 people visit the Hilton area. According to Apple Fest board member Faye Cole, people come from far and wide to join in this fall festival. "There was a tour bus from the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area that attended the Apple Fest last year," said Cole. She attributes this high attendance number to the variety of festival activities and events. "We try to include activities for the entire family. Mom can shop, Dad can look at the cars, and the kids can net an apple in Corey's Apple Pond for a prize," Cole said. Along with the annual arts and crafts show, this year's Apple Fest also includes the 28th annual Apple Derby Five Mile Run, a photo display of historic barns located in Parma and Hilton, a car show that continues to draw hundreds of car buffs each year, a farmers market and entertainment for people of all ages. Over 200 artists, who come from throughout the United States, are expected to display their crafts at this year's festival. As in the past, the work of these artists will be judged. Ribbons will be presented in the following categories: clothing, drawing/painting, floral, glass, jewelry, mixed media, pottery/ceramics, special media, wood, textiles, and Best of Show. The winner of Best of Show will receive a free booth for the following year. The Apple Derby/Merkel Run begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday, September 30. It begins and ends at Hilton High School. This five mile race will be held rain or shine and includes eight separate age divisions. Entry forms are available on the Apple Fest website at hiltonapplefest.org. Trophies will be awarded to the two top finishers, male and female, in each age category. The cost to enter is $10 before September 30 and $15 the day of the race. Hilton High School is located in Hilton at 400 East Avenue. New to Apple Fest this year is the Historic Barns of Parma and Hilton display. "Barns are sometimes overlooked" said Joe Lee, co-chair of the Hilton-Parma Historic Barn Project, "and for that reason, we thought it was important not only for the historical record to photograph them, but also to let our town know just how beautiful they are!" These photos will be on display in the Ingham Room at the Hilton Community Center, 59 Henry Street, during the Apple Fest weekend. The Apple Fest Auto Show will be held at the Village Elementary School on Saturday, September 30. This is the 26th year for this successful show which draws hundreds of car enthusiasts. Registration begins at 8 a.m. with the awards ceremony beginning promptly at 4 p.m. A farmers market will feature area apple growers as well as the bountiful harvests of local farmers. Check out the jams, candies, vegetables, maple syrup and many other specialties. Four different stages will showcase the talents of local and regional entertainers and musicians at this year's Apple Fest. Giving back Joe Lee, Apple Fest co-chairperson, encourages people to visit the festival. "We invite people to come and enjoy the food and music. We have a little of everything for everyone. Apple Fest is a great family attraction," Lee said. The committee also encourages visitors, however, "We want to emphasize no animals, roller blades, skateboards or bikes on the grounds," said Fay Cole, Apple Fest board member. Plenty of parking is available at Hilton High School and the Hilton Fireman's Field. ATM machines can be found at various locations in the village. Free shuttle buses will run from these parking lots to the Apple Fest festival grounds from 9:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. on Saturday and 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday. Plenty of food and fare at 2006 Hilton Apple Fest Apples, apples and more apples are what any visitor can expect at the 2006 Hilton Apple Fest. But, are you also looking for a tasty treat or a beverage to quench your thirst? The Hilton Apple Fest has plenty of food and drink to satisfy anyone's taste buds. According to Rick Bjornholm, Apple Fest board member and food vendor coordinator, "All groups are not-for-profit or community service groups operating within the boundaries of the Hilton school district. These groups use the funds raised during Apple Fest to support their activities." Here is a menu of what food will be offered at this year's Apple Fest: The 26th Annual Apple Fest Auto Show The 26th Annual Apple Fest Auto Show will be held rain or shine at the Hilton Village Elementary School on Saturday, September 30 with registration from 8 a.m. until noon. This year's show includes over 29 car, truck and motorcycle classes. Approximately 500 entrants are expected at this year's show. Car Show Chairperson Mike Ahl said why the show is so popular, "It's a fun show and all the participants judge the show," he said. This year, the show will have a special feature class highlighting the 55 years of the hemi engine. Ahl described the hemi as, "A special high performance engine that only Chrysler makes." First, second and third place plaques will be awarded for each class. Dash plaques and goody bags will be given to the first 400 entries. The awards ceremony will begin promptly at 4 p.m. Special awards will be presented for the Best Graphics, the Longest Distance, Hilton Mayor's Choice, Parma Town Supervisor's Choice, and Club Participation. Registration is required and is $12 the day of the show. Registration forms are available on the Apple Fest Website at hiltonapplefest.org. The Village Elementary School is located at 100 School Lane, off of Old Hojack Lane, in Hilton. Admission is free to the public. Historic photo display is new to festival events Over a year ago, a group of area photographers came together with an idea to capture the images of the many different barns located within the Hilton-Parma area. "It was only natural to bring together this group of photographers with the need to document the Hilton area's agricultural history. Thanks to the support from the Apple Fest, Village of Hilton and Town of Parma, we were able to make this project a reality," said Barn Project photographer and coordinator Barbara Carder. This photo project will be on display in the Ingham Room of the Hilton Community Center during the Apple Fest weekend, September 30 and October 1. The work of this team of eight photographers includes more than 100 barn photographs. Along with the Apple Fest committee, this photo project is sponsored by the Village of Hilton and the Town of Parma. The Barn Project has joined with local historians to help preserve this part of the community's heritage. Carder said the group has plans for the future, "We may be able to produce both a CD and a book - it's a possibility." As part of the Apple Fest festivities, a framed color image of a barn in winter will be raffled off for $1 a ticket. The winner will be announced at 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 1. This team of photographers includes, David Beadling, a professional photographer; Bill Bernbeck, Image City Gallery Photographer owner; Barbara Carder, Hilton School District communications specialist; Christine Carder, a Hilton High School graduate; Walter Horylev, Westside News Inc. freelance photographer; Chuck Nichols, a professional photographer; Maureen Spindler, Village Photographer of Hilton owner; and Harriet Zunno, Apple Fest photographer. Mary Townsend, John Bullock and Tom Burger are the historians and writers for this project. All of these photographers volunteered their time for the project. An opening reception will be held on September 29, from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Hilton Community Center's Ingham Room. The Hilton Community Center is located at 59 Henry St., Hilton. Apple Fest Kid's Korner offers fun for children Children of all ages will find something fun at the 2006 Hilton Apple Fest Kid's Korner. Throughout the festival weekend, this special area designated just for children will offer a host of activities including entertainment and activities. The Kids Korner will be located on the Apple Fest grounds at the Hilton Community Center. During the weekend, children and parents can look for these fun activities in the Kid's Korner area. Members of the Hilton Baptist Church will offer face painting, the Hillwood Girls Scouts and Parma Christian Fellowship will coordinate children's crafts. The Dynamic Silver Bullets Cheerleaders will give temporary tattoos and children can come to decorate cookies with the Hilton United Methodist Youth group. The MOM's Club of Hilton will offer spray hair coloring. All of the children's entertainers will perform on the Kid's Korner stage next to the Kid's Korner. On Saturday, September 30, the Dinner Dogs will perform from 11:15 a.m. to noon. The Grease Paint Alley Clowns will present their antics from noon to 3 p.m. The Stage Hand Puppetry will perform from 1 to 1:25 p.m. and again at 1:30 to 1:55 p.m. The fun will continue on Sunday, October 1 with Bill Gormont's World of Magic performing from 10 to 10:45 a.m. and 11-11:45 a.m. The Grease Paint Alley Clowns will return for fun and frolic from noon to 3 p.m. Gary the Happy Pirate and YoHo will end the festival with their performance at 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. Inside the Community Center on the main floor, Hilton Masonic Lodge Members will create identification video tapes for children. On Sunday, October 1, the Monroe County Sheriff's Department will be available to fingerprint children. All weekend, children can find pony rides behind the Community Center. The ever popular Corey's Apple Pond, where children can fish for prizes, will be located in the middle of the Apple Fest grounds. Hilton Apple Fest board makes it all happen Why does someone become a volunteer for a community festival such as Hilton Apple Fest? Ask Apple Fest Co-Chairpersons Joe Lee and Dave McCracken. Year after year, Lee and McCracken continue to give their time to the festival and each year they anxiously look forward to the Apple Fest weekend. Lee became a volunteer with Apple Fest 26 years ago. "My wife was a vendor and I came to help her set up her booth and I worked in the Apple Fest booth selling pop and water," Lee said. He continues to give his time to Apple Fest because he believes in serving his community. "When I was a kid, I saw how my Dad and uncle volunteered with the American Legion and the Moose Clubs. Community service was a part of our family," he said. Lee also gives his time to many other valuable community organizations including the Lions Club and the Knights of Columbus. He is also a Hilton village trustee. "The Apple Fest board is a wonderful, outstanding bunch of people. The people on the board mean everything to me. They're the reason why I am there," Lee added. Dave McCracken became involved with Apple Fest 13 years ago. He co-chairs the 2006 festival with Joe Lee. "I volunteer my time to the Apple Fest because it's a great local event. It's a lot of work, but also a lot of fun. I have created some wonderful friendships. Since we do Apple Fest for the local community service groups, school groups and church groups, it gives me a very 'warm and fuzzy' feeling to see them do well and a feeling that our hard work has paid off," said McCracken. The Apple Fest board also includes Pat Clark, Terry Quetschenbach, Jim Sage, and Linda Viney as vice chairpersons. Linda Viney is the secretary and Bill Shirtz serves as treasurer. Other board members include Kathy and Rick Bjornholm, Faye Cole, Pam Kaminski, Debbie McCracken, Chris Moore, John Sage, Linda Schult, and Harriet Zunno. Over 300 volunteers make the Apple Fest the successful community event that it is. McCracken encourages anyone to give their time to this worthy cause. "Apple Fest is always looking for hard working, fun loving and community-oriented people to join our group. We are always in need of volunteers for the weekend. If you have one day or one hour to donate to our community, please call us at 392-7773 or 234-FEST and one of our volunteers will contact you," he said. Here are some other interesting Apple Fest board member facts:
September 24, 2006 |
