Warwick celebrates Applefest Sunday, Oct. 1

WARWICK - On Sunday, Oct. 1, 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 18th annual Applefest. The traditional festival, Warwick’s largest and best-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 for the annual festival, which plays host to more than 240 craft vendors and 40 food vendors, since last fall. Scheduled events include music and dancers, a variety of free entertainment and children’s rides. Many local business and organizations will sponsor individual promotions. And once again the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Warwick Valley Community Center will continue their tradition to ring in the apple-picking season with their all new Visitors’ Guide for Applefest 2006. “Both residents and visitors look forward to seeing the dynamic area businesses, diverse exhibitors and events that fill the pages of this publication,” said Janine Dethmers, marketing director of Corporate Impressions. “And it’s important that people realize that Applefest also helps wonderful organizations like the Community Center.” The festival committee trusts local residents will not be too upset by any inconvenience that day. Applefest is a major fundraiser, and much needed proceeds from the event are used for town-wide community projects and non-profit organizations. There are 30 non-profit organizations that will participate in the annual celebration. This year, the Warwick Valley Community Center has added another component to the Applefest experience. In addition to the traditional festivities, which offer local families an opportunity to preview the rides and amusements at Stanley-Deming Park on Saturday, Sept. 30, the Center also is sponsoring a “Teen Night” on the previous night. On Friday, Sept. 29, from 4-10 p.m., the teens will be able to enjoy local and out of town live bands as well as rides without the crowds. And the Warwick Rotary Club has offered to run a food concession that night featuring grilled hotdogs and hamburgers. Lickety Split will also be on hand to provide ice cream desserts. Proceeds from both Friday and Saturday events will help the center provide affordable access to recreation throughout the year for all residents in this area. Once again there will be a traditional apple pie contest, open to both juniors and adults. In addition to the contest, the apple pie booth at the front of Christ Church at 50 South St., will be the only location where apple pies will be sold by the whole pie or slices. This is the first year that Christ Church will be selling the pies. Applefest Committee members are Garrett Durland, Linda Glohs, Janine Dethmers, Pam Grandinali, Skip Rosner, Steve Regan, Amy Noteboom and Lisa Pearce. Sponsors to date are County Waste, Cruises, Inc., Provident Bank, Coldwell Banker, the Times Herald-Record and Mountain Creek. The winner of the Applefest T-shirt design contest this year was Kristine Gorman. No one knows the exact number of visitors to Applefest for sure, but given the fact that many people arrive and leave at different times and that they are also taking side trips to see other attractions, the estimate of 30,000 is probably close to the mark. And for that reason, traffic to and from the village is expected to be unusually heavy. 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. For additional information, call 987-8300, the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce at 986-2720 or visit www.warwickapplefest.com.