ThisWeek CW 10/02/2014
http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/canalwinchester/news/2014/09/29/apple-butter-day-celebrates-pioneer-heritage.html
Crisp fall mornings and crisp, local apples at the farmers market signal the coming of Groveport’s Apple Butter Day Festival.
The 41st annual event, which, through the sale of apple butter, serves as a fundraiser for the Groveport Heritage and Preservation Society, celebrates Groveport’s pioneer heritage with family-oriented activities and entertainment.
This year’s festival, which is free and open to the public, will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 11, at Heritage Park, 551 Wirt Road.
Heritage Park features the city’s historic log cabin, built between 1815 and 1825, which was relocated to the park beside the old Ohio & Erie Canal in 1974. The cabin functions as the perfect setting for pioneer exhibits during the festival, according to event organizer Patty Storts.
“The log house celebrates the 19th-century life and currently serves as the cornerstone of community programming,” Storts said. “One of the best parts of the day is cooking there over an open fire. Fresh-made from scratch, hot apple butter will be canned later in the day and sold to festival-goers.”
All proceeds from the sale of the apple butter will benefit the historic preservation, civic and educational programs offered by the Groveport Heritage and Preservation Society.
Besides programming near the log cabin, Heritage Park will be filled with the sound of bluegrass music; a fishing derby will once again be held at the pond; and additional activities — including the serving of plates of cornbread and beans — will be offered at KidSpace, 630 Wirt Road.
This year’s lineup of entertainment and activities is:
* 10 to 11 a.m. — Michayla Jacks band on the Main Stage
* 10 to 11 a.m. — The fourth annual Groveport Cane Fishing Derby at Palm Pond. The first 50 children up to age 15 will get to fish with a cane pole; bait will be provided.
* 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Northwest Territory band on the Main Stage
* Noon to 1:30 p.m. — Boy Scout Troop 71 will hold a flag-retirement ceremony
* Noon to 3 p.m. — Johnny Appleseed portrayer at Appleseed Way
* Noon to 2 p.m. — Delightful Sound music in front of log house
* 1 to 2 p.m. — Annual spelling bee and recognition of octogenarians
* 2 to 4 p.m. — Storyteller Ellen Ford at Appleseed Way
* 2:15 to 3:45 p.m. — The Other Brothers band on the Main Stage
* 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. — Storytellers Mark Springer and Roger and Sharon Tedrow in front of log house
* 4 to 5:30 p.m. — Out of Mind band on the Main Stage
* 5:30 p.m. — Announcement of the quilt raffle winner on the Main Stage
“This is a full day of activities, including lots of great country and bluegrass music, craft demonstrators, homemade crafts, antique tractors, food vendors and, of course, a favorite to all, the cornbread and beans,” Storts said. “Free for kids of all ages are pony rides, a petting zoo, the fishing derby, hayrides, several old-fashioned games and craft projects in the nature center.”
For more information about the Apple Butter Day Festival, call Storts at 614-836-3333.