And Vicki Ball tops them all

Too many cooks may spoil the broth, but in the case of the Apple Fest, lots of cooks were exactly what was needed to turn out delicious apple pies for the annual Pie Baking Contest.

www.eagletimes.com

www.eagletimes.com

Apple festival a success First place winner Buy Now Vicki Ball, 1st Place Winner of the annual Pie Baking Contest, Traditional Category COURTESY SPRINGFIELD, Vt. — The 36th Vermont Apple Festival was brought to the Springfield community by the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce. Too many cooks may spoil the broth, but in the case of the Apple Fest, lots of cooks were exactly what was needed to turn out delicious apple pies for the annual Pie Baking Contest. Congratulations to this year’s winners! Traditional Apple Pies: 1st Place – Vicki Ball, Springfield, Vt. 2nd Place – Patricia Johansen, North Springfield, Vt. 3rd Place – Tracey Parkhurst, Springfield, Vt. NonTraditional Apple Pies: 1St Place – Christina Smith, Londonderry, Vt. 2nd Place – Margaret Burchard, Upton, Mass. 3rd Place – Tracey Parkhurst, Springfield, Vt. In addition to the contest pies, the event also featured fresh apple pies baked by Wellwood Orchards, and student bakers in the culinary program at River Valley Tech Center turned three bushels of Wellwood apples into panfuls of apple crisp for those attending the festival at Riverside Middle School in Springfield on Oct. 6. John Harmer and students from the horticulture and natural resources program at RVTC were also on site pressing cider. And apple sweets weren’t the only tasty treat available. Fair food included fried dough, kettle corn, pastries, Asian, Jamaican, and Brazilian cuisine, as well as more traditional American fare including burgers, fries, and hotdogs. Trout River Brewery and Vermont Vines on the River offered beer and wine to festival patrons over 21 during the afternoon. “What a great day! The weather cooperated, and we had an awesome turnout,” 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.” Nearly 2,000 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, fine art etching prints, glassware, toys, soaps, greeting cards, and pet items. This year’s event also featured a Tarot card reader and Reiki offerings. Attractions for kids included pony rides, sand art, face-painting, the EdgarMay’s Fastest Kid in Town Race, and arts and crafts. The festival was only possible with the help of volunteers and numerous sponsors, said Christiana. This year’s sponsors were: Apple Barrel Sponsors: HB Energy Solutions, Mascoma Savings Bank, MVP Health Care, and WCFR G0lden Apple Sponsors: Green Mountain Home Repair, and VTEL Red Apple Sponsors: Bibens Home Center, Black River Produce, Claremont Savings Bank, Graham & Graham, PC, Gurney Brothers Construction, Kelley Sales & Service, One Credit Union, Springfield Housing Authority, and Springfield Rotary Club Green Apple Sponsors: Cabot, Dubois & King, HCRS, ImageTek, IPG Employee Benefits Specialists, Jerry Farnum State Farm, Lamb & McNaughton, PC, Lawrence & Wheeler Insurance, Muse & Associates Real Estate, Parker & Ankuda, PC, River Valley Credit Union, Springfield Art Gym, Springfield Food Co-op, Springfield Reporter, Ultimate Auto Body Apple Seed Sponsors: Flying Crow Coffee Co., Friends of the Springfield Town Library, Loyal Order of the Moose, Springfield Hospital, Wellwood Orchards A big thank you to Jerry Farnum State Farm and Ultimate Auto Body for also sponsoring this year’s outdoor live music, featuring Ali T and FOREVERINMOTION. And much gratitude to the many volunteers who put in countless hours to help the festival run so smoothly.