Apple’n Arts Festival returns to Delmont this weekend

Patrick Varine | Friday, October 1, 2021 11:30 a.m.

Patrick Varine | Tribune-Review

John Johnson of the Fort Allen Antique Farm Equipment Association keeps an eye on a stack of shredded apples about to be pressed into cider at the Shields Farm property in Delmont on Wednesday.

It’s tough to maintain the 114-year-old hydraulic press that squeezes out thousands of gallons of cherished apple cider each year.

Add in more than a year of pandemic-related closures, including the cancellation of last year’s Apple’n Arts Festival in Delmont, and the problems compound.

“The press hadn’t been in use for two years, and we also discovered that it hadn’t been winterized properly,” said Harvey Bush, a member of the Fort Allen Antique Farm Equipment Association, whose members typically press more than $20,000 worth of apples every year.

The apple press required significant repairs. Still, it was back in top form this week ahead of the Apple’n Arts Festival, set to begin Saturday at the Shields Farm property.

On Wednesday, a sizable crew was in constant motion loading apples into the press hopper, stacking canvas “patties” to press into cider and hauling wheelbarrows of scraps away.

“We have a lot of new, younger men helping out,” said Bush’s wife, Pat, flashing a mischievous smile: “They don’t know what they’re getting into.”

Below, Bush explains.

Such activity at the farm was nearly unthinkable as late as July, when Delmont council gave organizers the official go-ahead to hold the annual festival.

“We have way more vendors than I’d anticipated,” said organizing committee member Brandy Walters. “I think at last count …we had 88 art and craft vendors.”

The festival will feature a food court and other features.

“We were able to bring back the petting zoo and the train rides for kids,” Walters said, “and we have a full lineup of bands that will be performing as well.”

It remains to be seen if the festival will be as well-attended as in years past, but organizers and vendors will be ready if it is.

“We’ve all been really killing ourselves getting ready, and everyone has done a magnificent job,” Walters said.

The Apple’n Arts Festival will take place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Shields Farm. On-site parking is available at Contact Place in Delmont, off of East Pittsburgh Street. Parking and bus shuttles are also run from Steel City Raceway, 276 Story Road in Salem.

For more, see DelmontApplenArts.com.