AppleFest Comes to Monmouth Saturday, September 27

Monmouth has always had the tradition of growing apples and since 1989 has been home to AppleFest every September. I know for my family, it's not officially fall until we stroll downtown during AppleFest. The daylong celebration is this Saturday, Sept. 27. Main Street will be closed to traffic during the day and open to pedestrians and activities.

The fun gets underway with a breakfast at United Church of Monmouth’s Packard Activity Center. Admission costs $6 for adults and $3 for children 8 and under. Then, the very popular 5-kilometer run, walk and jog, hosted by Friends of Cumston Hall, starts at 8am right at at Cumston Hall.

There will be free balloons for the kids, an apple pie eating contest, cider pressing demonstration, quilt raffle, crafter's fair and rides in a barrel-car train and rides in a horse-drawn wagon.

Plus free tours of the wonderful Monmouth Museum. The museum includes several old buildings in the downtown. It owns eight old buildings, including house exhibits depicting life in an agricultural town from 1800 to 1950. There is also a carriage house, stencil shop, a blacksmith’s shop and an old-time school room.

I can't wait to get my annual homemade pie. :)