Applefest returns to Mars for 40th year
For residents of Mars Borough, the first Saturday in October means only one thing: the annual Applefest event.
This year, Applefest is celebrating its 40th anniversary.
The event, hosted each year by the Rich-Mar Rotary Club of Richland Township and Mars, is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
According to Harry Austin, community and media coordinator for Applefest, event organizers expect attendance in the thousands, if weather cooperates.
“Over the past two years, Mars Applefest has attracted 9,000 to 10,000 guests,” Austin said. “For this year, we hope to have the same.”
Sections of the borough’s Pittsburgh Street and Grand Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic and stuffed to the brim with food and craft vendors — a total of 145 this year, according to Austin. Duncan Alley and West Hook Street also will be closed.
Applefest festivities start at 7:30 a.m. with the Masonic Lodge pancake breakfast, held at the John E. Mair Masonic Lodge on Clay Avenue. Breakfast, which will be served until noon, includes just about everything with the word “apple” in it, including apple pancakes and apple cider. The meal will cost $8.
Visitors to Applefest can look forward to new attractions, such as visits from Orby, the mascot for Planet Mart, as well as this year’s Miss Butler County, 9-year-old Everly Jacisin.
Returning activities include an inflatable playground provided by Advance Community Church, a face-painting station and an appearance from the Mars Fightin’ Planets mascot.
The Mars Farmers Market, which normally runs from 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays in the Advance Community Church parking lot, will open for extended hours during the event, offering fresh fruits, vegetables, jams and jellies.
The Friends of the Mars Area Public Library will hold its annual fall book sale at the library starting at 9 a.m. Those who attend will get to see a train display from the Western Pennsylvania Model Railroad Museum in nearby Gibsonia.
A map of the best parking spots is available on the Applefest website, marsapplefest.com, and event organizers have provided a shuttle for those who park at the Vogel Disposal Service lot.
Visitors will also get a chance to ride the Mars Shortline Railroad, a miniature-scale railroad operated by the Mars Area History and Landmarks Society.
Both admission and parking for Mars Applefest are free. However, event organizers will be soliciting donations for both the Rich-Mar Rotary Club and ShelterBox USA, a disaster relief organization that provides shelter and supplies to families in disaster-hit parts of the world.
“There is a special request for donations to ShelterBox USA, as posted on the front page of our website,” Austin said.
