As American as Vermont apple pie

33rd Vermont Apple Festival draws hundreds.
http://eagletimes.villagesoup.com/p/as-american-as-vermont-apple-pie/1426133

33rd Vermont Apple Festival draws hundreds As American as Vermont apple pie By ALLAN STEIN | Oct 12, 2015 Share on print Share on facebook Share on tumblr Share on twitter More Sharing Services 0 Photo by: Allan Stein Agnes Mark, co-owner of Wellwood Orchards in Springfield, is recognized as the official mascot of the annual Vermont Apple Fesitval in Springfield. Vermont Apple Festival Miss Vermont 2015 Alayna Westcom gets ready for the apple contest, the signature event at Saturday's 33rd annual Vermont Apple Fesitval in Springfield. (Photo by: Allan Stein) View More... SPRINGFIELD — Wellwood Orchards co-owner Agnes Mark enjoys being the designated apple of everyone's eye each year at the popular fall apple festival in Springfield. For the past 20 festivals or so, Mark has been the signature attraction, dressed up as a bright red Granny apple. "I am the official apple lady of Vermont," Mark instructed a curious visitor during the 33rd annual Vermont Apple Festival that was held Saturday at Riverside Middle School at 13 Fairground Road. "I do love it. I see people here every year, and this is the only place I get to see them," said Mark, whose family run orchard is located in Springfield. Sponsored by the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce (SRCC), the festival featured more than 60 food vendors and crafts people. There were also pony rides, apple cider making, amusement rides, a train, and children's races. Miss Vermont 2015 also stopped by to serve on a panel of judges for the apple pie contest. The large array of vendors filled up the school parking lot, athletic field, and school gym where Annie Katz of Springfield demonstrated her intricate knitting skills. "I did this about a year ago," said Katz, watching the noisy milieu of people passing by inside the gym. "Everyone seems to have a good time." Coinciding with Saturday's apple festival was Wet Paint Live, an open-air viewing of local artists at work on the Plein Air Walk, followed by an art show at 100 River St. in the Great Hall Public Art Showcase. WPL Committee Chairman Nancy Lanoue said the event started about a year ago to promote Springfield as an "art destination, and to show off our beautiful scenery, which is the river." "We are all interested in showing off Springfield and its positive points and our energy," said Lanoue. Springfield Town Manager Tom Yennerell said it was his first experience with both events since he became town manager about a year ago. "I think it's a great event and perfect that these two events are happening simultaneously, right at peak foliage season," said Yennerell. Inside the school, Miss Vermont 2015, Alayna Westcom, 24, of Bakersfield, helped organizers prepare for the apple pie contest. "I'm here to help out out as a judge of the apple pie contest and with anything else they need," said Westcom. Caitlyn Christiana, the SRCC's new executive director, said she was pleased at Saturday's turnout and the broad public interest in Springfield. "It is going incredibly [well]. We are thrilled the weather cooperated. Everyone is in a cheerful mood and we are in peak foliage," said Christiana. Outside, in the parking lot, the perennial Apple Lady, Agnes Mark, smiled for snapshots with visitors. "How would you like an apple, young man? she asked one visitor. "Here you go." For another visitor, seeing Mark for the first time was like comparing apples to oranges. "It's a tomato," he guessed out loud. Mark did not get red under the collar, but set the record straight. "I'm the apple lady," she said.