http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20111008/NEWS02/710089918
Springfield’s Apple Fest and Pie Contest is Saturday
By Susan Smallheer
Staff Writer - Published: October 8, 2011
SPRINGFIELD – Vicki Ball was headed to Wellwood Orchards on Friday afternoon so she would have the freshest apples possible for Saturday’s apple pie contest at the 29th Annual Vermont Apple Festival.
Ball, who has competed over the years in the popular apple pie contest, said only Northern Spy apples would do.
The apple pie contest is only part of the festival, which this year has been consolidated into one day. It runs Saturday at the Riverside Middle School, from 9 to 5 p.m., and admission is free.
The festival is sponsored by the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, and it features everything from activities for children to craft demonstrations, live music – and a pie contest.
According to Carol Cole, executive director of the chamber, the pies later become fundraisers — as slices of the pies are sold to people at the festival.
Cole said she expected between a dozen and 15 bakers to participate in the pie contest. Entries must be submitted by 10:30 a.m., and judging will be held at noon.
She wouldn’t disclose the judges for this year’s contest, but said there would be both professional cooks and pie eaters at the judge’s table.
Bell said that she always submits the same recipe — which she learned from reading Betty Crocker’s iconic loose leaf cookbook. Sometimes she wins, Ball said, and sometimes she doesn’t. The recipe, she said, is always the same.
“It’s corny, but it’s fun to win,” Bell said. “One year we even had a taste-off.”
Cole said there are two categories for the pie makers — traditional and nontraditional. She said there are few rules.
“It has to be homemade,” she said. The recipe and the list of ingredients must accompany the pie, she said.
She said that Dr. Richard Lane has won the nontraditional pie contest for a couple of years, but she said she didn’t know if he was competing this year.
“We usually have a good turnout,” she said.
This year the festival, in addition to children attractions such as a kissing donkey named Lucy, there will be apple bowling by the Springfield Bowl, pony rides and other games.
Members of the Springfield Community Market farmers and vendors will also participate in the apple festival.
Many of the vendors will demonstrate their crafts. In fact, Ball, who raises Shetland sheep, will demonstrate spinning.
There are many new crafts people at this year’s fair, Cole said, showing everything from homemade jams to wood-turning and greeting cards.
Many area crafts people, groups and businesses also participate in the festival, including the Springfield Humane Society, the Miller Art Center and Springfield Historical Society and the Spencer Hollow Schoolhouse group.
The horticulture program at the River Valley Technical Center will be pressing apple cider.
In addition to the cider pressing, there will be food vendors offering everything from apple crisp, hot chili, hot dogs and clam chowder.
No comments :
Post a Comment
Please keep your comments polite and on-topic. No profanity