Applefest 2013 raises $87,000 for chamber and community center

WARWICK — Sunday, Oct. 6, was a rainy day, rare in the history of Applefest, Warwick's largest and most well-attended event.

That was worrisome but as it turned out, it appeared that Village of Warwick and the organizers might have welcomed even more than the usual estimate of approximately 30,000 visitors and local residents to the 25th annual celebration.

Each year, the festival, which has been held since 1989 to celebrate the local apple harvest, is planned by the Applefest Committee, which includes volunteers from the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce, Warwick Valley Community Center and other volunteers.

Record revenues
Some Warwick residents question the value of the celebration in view of the heavy traffic and other inconveniences during that day. But here's the answer.

The Warwick Applefest 2013 Committee just reported that in its most recent accounting, which takes several months to finalize, the proceeds from the 2013 festival raised a record of $87,000.

Half of that sum goes to each of the co-sponsoring organizations who plan and produce the event: the Warwick Valley (Doc Fry) Community Center and the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce.

That was a $7,000 increase over the 2012 event, which was also a record at that time.

Shared largesse
In addition to being the largest fund raiser for the co-sponsors, Applefest is also a major fund-raising vehicle for some 50 local non-profit organizations that serve the community.

And because of the monies raised by so many local groups at this festival, fewer contributions are requested from Warwick residents during the rest of the year.

The event also supports more than 20 local farmers and food producers who participate.

Thanks to the community
"In addition," added Christina Hohmann, Applefest 2013 coordinator, "it is important to recognize that attracting so many visitors into our community also gives a much-needed boost to the local economy in these challenging economic times."

The event brings extra business to many local restaurants, shops, Bed & Breakfasts and inns, apple orchards and wineries and other businesses along the routes into the Village. Many who discover Warwick for the first time at Applefest return to enjoy and shop in the town again.

"The Applefest Committee and its sponsoring organizations," she said, "appreciate the patience and cooperation of Warwick residents for this one important day each year."

- Roger Gavan