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Variety at the core of Wellsburg Applefest

APPLEFEST TO RETURN — Gathered to finalize plans for the 38th-annual Wellsburg Applefest were, front, from left, Robin Snyder; Michael O’Brien, who co-chairs the event with Ernie Jack; Rita Ramsey, associate chair; and Mary Ann Sayre: and back, Frank Johnson; Jerry Fluharty; and Greg Cheeks. The committee also includes Shirlie Rogers, Carol Lynn, George DeGarmo and Alex Weld. The festival will be held Oct. 7-9 on Charles Street and the Wellsburg Town Square. - Warren Scott

WELLSBURG — Organizers of the city’s West Virginia Applefest say its longevity can be attributed to the variety of food, entertainment and attractions offered.

In its 38th year, the festival will return to Charles Street and the Wellsburg Town Square on Oct. 7-9.

Visitors will find numerous food and craft booths along Charles Street and an assortment of local talent on the town square, said Michael O’Brien, who has co-chaired the event with Ernie Jack for years with the assistance of associate chair Rita Ramsey.

Apples of assorted varieties will be served in various ways, from apple butter made at the scene to thousands of apple pies sold by the Wellsburg Kiwanis Club to hot or cold apple cider sold at the information booth on the town square.

Over the years the festival has included carnival and pony rides; a pumpkin-decorating contest and pumpkin-carving contest, using safety knives, for children; the Applefest pageant; and the All Things Apple contest. Jerry Fluharty, contest coordinator, said in addition to separate categories for pies and apple-related food, the contest will include a new category for apple-inspired crafts.

First-, second- and third-place finishers will receive cash prizes of $25, $15 and $10, respectively. Entries should be brought to the town square at 1 p.m. on Oct. 9, with judging to begin at 2 p.m. For information, call Fluharty at (304) 737-4702.

A variety of entertainers, from vocalists to dancers, will perform on the town square. Winners of the Applefest pageant will be crowned there at noon on Oct. 8. Coordinated by Shirlie Rogers, the contest will be held at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 1 at the Wellsburg Moose Lodge and is open to girls up to 18 years old and boys up to 6 years old. Winners will be named in categories, with some surprise awards to be presented, Rogers said.

Donating trophies for the event this year is Kimberlie Rogers-Bowers, Rogers’ daughter.

Miss West Virginia, Morgan Breeden, will be on hand at the pageant to crown the winners.

For information, call Rogers at (304) 737-2482 or (304) 919-9318.

The festival also will offer aspiring singers of all ages a chance to compete in the Wellsburg’s Got Talent contest at 4 p.m. on Oct. 8.

O’Brien noted the festival was inspired by the city’s connection to the Grimes Golden variety of apple, which was discovered on state Route 27 by Thomas Grimes, a farmer and public official, in 1802.

O’Brien said there is record that apple seeds were provided to Grimes by Johnny “Appleseed” Chapman, a missionary who planted apple trees in many areas of the Midwest in the late 1700s.

During the festival O’Brien often appears as Chapman, who has been depicted as wearing a pot for a hat and overalls and sometimes, barefoot.

Over the years the festival has received attention from Goldenseal and other magazines focused on West Virginia culture. This year it’s included in an article entitled “Recreating Our Lost Apple Culture” in the September issue of Wonderful West Virginia magazine.

To preserve Wellsburg’s connection to apples, the Wellsburg Applefest Committee has worked, with support from other groups and businesses, to restore the Grimes Golden Appleseed Roadside Park near Grimes’ farm on state Route 27.

This year to show its appreciation to the community for years of support for the festival, the committee held its first Easter egg hunt for area children and established a scholarship fund for outstanding Brooke High School graduates.

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