Warwick to celebrate Applefest Oct. 7

Warwick - Believe it or not, Applefest, Warwick’s largest annual event, is only a week away. On Sunday, Oct. 7, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Town of Warwick will roll out the red carpet for an estimated 30,000 visitors to the 19th annual Applefest. The traditional festival, Warwick’s most well attended event, has been held since 1988 to celebrate the local apple harvest. And in June 2002, the American Bus Association voted Applefest one of the top 10 festivals on its list of best events in North America. Coordinators Betty Garrison and Connie Hegner and their committee have been planning since last fall for the annual festival, which plays host to over 240 craft vendors and 40 food vendors. Scheduled events include music and dancers, a variety of free entertainment and children’s rides. There also will be a traditional apple pie contest, open to both juniors and adults. And something new has been added: The Wells Fargo Company will bring an authentic stagecoach to the Chase Bank parking lot. Entertainment schedules are subject to change. Many local business and organizations will sponsor individual promotions. And once again the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce and The Warwick Valley Community Center have continued their tradition to ring in the apple-picking season with their all-new Visitors’ Guide for Applefest 2007. The winner of the Applefest T-shirt design contest for this year was Erin Clark. This year the Warwick Valley Community Center has again added another component to the Applefest experience. In addition to the traditional festivities on Sunday, the Center will sponsor a “Ride and Music Night” and a “Family Night” that same weekend. No one knows for certain the exact number of visitors to Applefest. People arrive and leave at different times and they take side trips to see other attractions, so the estimate of 30,000 probably is close to the mark. For that reason, traffic to and from the Village is expected to be unusually heavy. The festival committee trusts local residents will not be too upset by any inconvenience that day. The Warwick Police Department urges residents to avoid driving near or through the Village. There are special designated parking areas at Memorial Park, the Middle School and the Park Avenue School with shuttle service to and from the festival as required. Transportation for the disabled will be available at the Middle School parking area. Look for the signs. Applefest is a major fund-raiser and the much-needed proceeds from the event are used for town-wide community projects and nonprofit organizations. Over 30 nonprofit organizations participate in the annual celebration and for many, Applefest is the one fund-raising event that provides the necessary money to serve the community throughout the year. For additional information call 987-8300, the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce at 986-2720 or visit www.warwickapplefest.com.