GREENFIELD — The Historical Preservation Society of Upper Township has scheduled its 24th annual AppleFest for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at the John Wesley Gandy Farmstead, 26 Tyler Road.
The festival is one of the major community-wide events held each year by the HPSUT and is a favorite fall gathering for residents and visitors of the township.
There will be live music with Linda & Ollie, demonstrations by traditional craft artisans, demonstrations on bee keeping, spinning and weaving, decoy carving and more, as well as community non-profit groups with information tables about their programs and services.
An Apple Pie Baking Contest will be judged at 2 p.m. with entries accepted in the Junior Division, ages 15 and under, and Senior Division, ages 16 and up. Chef Tyson Merryman of the Tuckahoe Inn, Nick Karayiannis of Dino’s Seaville Diner and Deb Patterson of the Frog Hollow Bakery will judge the contest this year.
Prizes and ribbons are awarded to the selected winners and then complimentary samples of all the entry pies are served to the festival attendees.
The Gandy Farmstead buildings will be open for tours. Knowledgeable docents will be on hand in the farmhouse to describe the history of the farm as well as the historical artifacts on display. Visitors are also welcome to walk the grounds of the farm and visit the restored 1812 barn, smoke house, root cellar, antique carriage and the working windmill.
The event always features a selection of fresh New Jersey apples for sale, along with a wide range of refreshments at the Apple Bake Shoppe including apple tarts with ice cream.
In addition, there will be warm apple shortcake, grilled hot dogs, bratwurst and other food.
The variety of food, served by HPSUT volunteers, enables the group to raise funds.
Children’s activities will include face painters and a variety of supervised children’s games.
The HPSUT operates and manages three historic sites that are open to the public: the Gandy House and Farmstead, ca. 1815; the Tuckahoe Train Station, 1894; and the Friendship School in Palermo, ca. 1830.