Warwick to celebrate 31st Applefest Oct. 6

The Town of Warwick will roll out its usual red carpet, rain or shine, on next Sunday, Oct. 6, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., for an estimated 30,000 visitors to the 31st annual celebration of Applefest.

The festival, the area’s most well-attended street fair, has been held since 1989 to celebrate the local apple harvest.

Something for nearly everyone

The free festival will host nearly 300 vendors and feature a variety of live stage performances including music and dance groups, carnival rides for children, a Farmers Market, an apple pie baking contest and 50 local non-profit exhibitors.

Another popular fun event is an apple pie eating contest for adults and children, held at the pie baking contest booth on Bank Street at 3 p.m.

The Applefest 2019 Visitors' Guide may be found on the Website and is distributed free at the event. The booklet contains visitor information, directories of craft and food vendors, entertainment schedule, shuttle bus information, map of the festival area and upcoming local events.

Applefest 2019 T-shirts feature a special 31st anniversary commemorative design created by Connie Hegner of Warwick and will be sold at the “Applefest Information” Chamber of Commerce Caboose on South Street during the festival.

Family-friendly children’s activities in Stanley-Deming Park will include kiddie carnival rides and games, kids’ activities and food concessions.

The “Pre-Applefest Kids Karnival” is on Friday, Oct. 4, from 4 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 5, from 4 to 10 p.m.

And on Sunday, Oct. 6, the “Karnival” area will also include horse and pony rides and a rabbit petting area from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Applefest is a major fund raiser and then proceeds from the event are used for town-wide community projects and 50 non-profit organizations, which participate in the annual celebration. For many, Applefest is the one fund-raising event that provides necessary money to serve the community throughout the year.

"In addition to supporting the Warwick Valley Community Center,” said Chamber Executive Director Michael Johndrow, “Applefest enables the Chamber to continue its work on developing business and increasing tourism in the Warwick Valley. It also provides a way for some 50 local, non-profit organizations to raise money in one day, without having to solicit in their local communities throughout the year."

Traffic

The Warwick Police Department urges residents to avoid driving near or through the village. There are special designated parking areas at the High School, Middle School, Park Avenue School and Veterans Memorial Park with shuttle service to and from the festival. Transportation for the disabled will be available at the Middle School parking area.

- Roger Gavan