Some years at the Bayfield Apple Festival we've had to wear a coat and hat to keep warm. And a hot cup of ARCO coffee was more attractive than a cold beer. But for the AppleFest's 50th anniversary opening day on Friday October 7th, 2011, Mother Nature let the sun come out and the temperature rise into the mid 70s. Ideal weather for a grand old festival celebrating being 50 years old.
The result of the nice weather and improved publicity through the Wisconsin Dept. of Tourism was a recent times record of over 60,000 people attending the event, pleasing vendors and festival organizers. On this weekend there was no hint of economic stagnation in this most northern Wisconsin county.
Among the Apple Festival's traditional offerings were the Apple Pie & Dessert contest, the kid's carnival & games area, Big Top Chautauqua's house band performing at the outdoor stage all three days, a number of other performers sprinkled throughout the festival streets, the traditional Apple Peeling Contest, the Grand Parade on Sunday, arts & crafts vendors galore, and over 70 Orchard & Food booths offering fresh apples to take home and apple concoctions of all sorts.
In addition to the traditional festival fare, the 50th Apple Festival featured about 40 Festival Queens from previous years returning to ride in the Grand Parade, a huge Mass Band (over 600 performers) made up from several school bands across the northland, a special Anniversary composition performed by Big Top's Blue Canvas Orchestra, and a return of the special Apple Hats offered by the Bayfield Chamber at its merchandise booths.
Below are a sampling of photos from Friday's festival fun.
~ clicking on photos will bring up a larger version ~
We enjoyed some Leinie Octoberfest at Greunke's outdoor beer garden. Greunke's Inn has been in business since 1940. Inside its walls are lined with photos, signs, and memorbilia from years gone by. They even have a 1946 Juke Box in the lounge. They were packed with no available tables when Jo and I stopped by so we had to sit outside which was finie since it was such a nice day. Their restaurant features a full menu from sandwiches to house specialties. I think most of all Greunke's is famous for its Whitefish Fish Boils.
At AppleFest, apple concoctions of all sorts rule. So in addition to pies, desserts, caramel apples, you have apple beer, and apple bratwurst. There was always a line in front of Bayfield Apple Company's Apple Bratwurst stand. I had one with my usual sauerkraut, onions, and mustard condiments. The added flavor of apple worked. Quite tasty.
Here's Jo with Apple Hill's 1948 Ford Pickup. That's caramel apples being offered from the bed of the pickup.
But if you get tired of apples, you have the usual festival food available - caramel corn, corn dogs, cheese curds, gyros, hamburgers, french fries, cotton candy, ice cream, etc.
Bayfield merchants brought out their merchandise for sidewalk sales. The Stormy Kromer hats shown here (left photo) date back to 1903 when Wisconsin resident and railroad worker Stormy Kromer and his wife started selling her practical winter hats. Some good deals on sweatshirts from Up North (right).
In addition to the Bayfield merchants, over 150 artisans set up shop at the lakeshore park.
Entertainment
One of our favorite parts of AppleFest is being able to see and hear Big Top Chautauqua's Blue Canvas Singers & Orchestra. In the photo Cheryl Leah performs, with vocal support from Phil Anich, Jack Gunderson, and Band Director Ed Willet. I recorded a great video here that I would like to have shown but the band's amps overwhelmed my video mike causing distortion. But I can offer a video taken by the Bayfield Chamber of Commerce. (see below)
The Red Cliff Ojibwe Drum and Dance Troup, joined by other visiting Ojibwe, entertained in the lawn of Greunke's Inn. It was really neat to see all ages, from little tykes to grandmas, joining in the traditional dances.
The Bayfield Chamber & Visitors Bureau office is conveniently located downtown on Manypenny Avenue. They are the prime sponsor of AppleFest and are an essential stop for the Bayfield visitor to get useful advice, maps, brochures, and information on enjoying the Bayfield area.
2013 Apple Fest
52nd annual Bayfield Apple Festival
Oct. 4 - 6th, 2013
For three days, orchard owners, artists, musicians, street entertainers, crafters and festival food vendors line the historic streets of this quaint fishing village.
The 51st Apple Festival is now history. The Bayfield Visitor Bureau reports "an estimated 45,000 festival attendees throughout the crisp three-day weekend. Bayfield apples and spectacular fall colors were in abundance for those who came out to celebrate the orchard harvest and indulge in rich festival foods, apple delicacies and shopping at over 130 vendor booths."
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But I can offer a video taken by the Bayfield Chamber of Commerce. (see below) )
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