Vermont Apple Fest was a great success

Too many cooks may spoil the broth, but in the case of the 35th annual Vermont Apple Festival, lots of cooks were exactly what was needed to turn out several delicious apple pies, which were sold after judging, with proceeds going to Springfield Family Center.

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Vermont Apple Fest was a great success | October 20, 2017 By Lori Evans FacebookTwitterGoogle+Share On Oct. 7 at the 35th annual Vermont Apple Festival, the Non-traditional Pie Contest First Place Winner Dan Palazzo is shown with daughter Teagan (left), and son Alexander (right). SPRINGFIELD, Vt. — Too many cooks may spoil the broth, but in the case of the 35th annual Vermont Apple Festival, lots of cooks were exactly what was needed to turn out several delicious apple pies, which were sold after judging, with proceeds going to Springfield Family Center. In addition, student bakers in the culinary program at River Valley Tech Center turned three bushels of apples into panfuls of apple crisp for those attending the festival at Riverside Middle School in Springfield on Oct. 7. Wellwood Orchards added to the flavor of the festival with a wagon full of apples and the Apple Lady, who took the time to visit with festivalgoers. While apples in all kinds of forms are the festival’s signature food, they weren’t the only tasty treat available. Fair food included fried dough, cotton candy, kettle corn and pastries. New food vendors this year included Cuppity Kakes, Simply Asian, World Coffee, The Tasty Crumb, and Creative Events by Christina. They joined such fair favorites as RJ’s, AJ’s Catering and Jackson’s Dream, in addition to the fresh produce and home-cooked foods provided by the Farmers’ Market. Trout River Brewery and Vermont Vines on the River offered beer and wine to festival patrons over 21 during the afternoon. “It was such an honor to host the 35th Apple Fest,” said Caitlin Christiana, executive director of the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce and organizer of the event. “This festival has been running since long before my time with the chamber. It really ‘takes a village’ to put the whole thing together, so it’s a pleasure to be involved with so many great people. Our aim is to help this community event continue to thrive for many more years to come.” One of the traditions of the Apple Fest is the apple pie contest. This year Patricia Johansen, who has lived in Springfield her whole life, won first place in the traditional category of contest. It was the third year she has entered; the first year she placed second, but last year didn’t place. She plans on entering again next year. Without giving away her recipe, Johansen said she usually makes her pies with two different apples — one harder and one softer, which makes for a wonderful texture, she said. Her crust is “old school.” Despite her first-place finish, Johansen said she doesn’t consider herself a baker or a cook. Her primary hobby is cross-stitching. In her family, her husband cooks, she cleans. She adds desserts to the meals, because “I like sweets,” she said. Usually her pie-baking is reserved for Thanksgiving and Christmas. “My parents have always loved my pies, so that was encouragement to enter,” she said of the festival pie contest. Holly Bromley of Whitehall, New York, placed second in the traditional apple pie category and Christina Smith of Londonderry, Vermont, placed third. First place in the nontraditional apple pie category was won by Dan Palazzo of Perkinsville. Chelsa Roy of Brattleboro took both second and third place in that category. More than 1,700 people attended the festival that featured more than 50 crafters from all over New England. The unique creations they sold included jewelry, quilts, rustic signs, wooden bowls, handmade dolls and doll clothing, holiday ornaments, scarves, photography, glassware, toys, soaps, greeting cards and pet items. Attractions for kids included pony rides, the Fastest Kid in Town Race, Dux the Balloon Guy, sand art and doughnut- and pie-eating contests. John Harmer and students from the Horticulture and Natural Resources program at RVTC were on site pressing cider from apples donated by Wellwood Orchard. The festival is possible with the help of volunteers and numerous sponsors, said Christiana. This year’s sponsors were: Apple Barrel Sponsors: HB Energy Solutions and Springfield Hospital; Golden Apple sponsors: Kelley Sales and Service and VTel; Red Apple sponsors: Bibens Home Center, Clever Cow Designs, Cota & Cota, FOSTERing Wellness, Graham and Graham PC; Gurney Brothers Construction; One Credit Union, Springfield Housing Authority and Springfield Rotary Club; Green Apple sponsors: Dr Christopher Fauver, Claremont Savings Bank, HCRS, IPG Employee Benefits Specialists, Lawrence & Wheeler Insurance, Mascoma Savings Bank, Muse & Associates Real Estate, Oriental Palace, Parker & Ankuda, P.C, River Valley Credit Union, Springfield Art Gym, Springfield Orthodontics and Springfield Reporter; and Apple Seed sponsors: Lucas Industries, Wellwood Orchards and Woodbury Florist. Planning for the 2018 Vermont Apple Festival will begin in the spring. It’s not too early for food and craft vendors, pie bakers, and lovers of the annual event to mark the date for next year’s festival — Saturday, Oct. 6 — and begin making plans to participate.