By Bonnie Adams, Managing Editor
Bill and Pat Griffin pass out apples donated by the Davidian farmstand at last year’s Applefest. Photo/submitted
Northborough – In just a few weeks, Northborough will be celebrating one of its biggest and most anticipated events of the year – Applefest. Organizers are now finalizing the plans for the three-day celebration which will be held Friday, Sept. 20 through Sunday, Sept. 22.
The festival was started in 1991 by a small group of volunteers who aimed to promote the downtown businesses as well as acknowledge the town’s agricultural roots. Since that time, it has grown into a beloved weekend extravaganza with participation from local businesses, nonprofits, and just about every town group imaginable.
Last year’s festivities, however, were a bit different from previous years. Normally many of the events, such as the parade and street fair, are held in the downtown area but a major road renovation forced the cancellation of the parade and moved the street fair to Algonquin Regional High School (ARHS).
With the long project finally completed, the parade will return to the downtown. But the street fair will be held at ARHS again.
Another 2012 casualty was the popular fireworks show, which was to have been held again for the first time in five years, thanks to many generous donations from the business community. That fell victim to the influx of mosquitoes in the region (and their nasty West Nile Virus).
Organizers, after consulting with local town and school officials, reluctantly made the call to cancel the fireworks, a decision that they felt, would be in everyone’s best interest.
But this year the fireworks will also return, as the featured highlight of the Saturday night festivities.
One event that has also become a favorite is the Corridor Nine Area Chamber of Commerce 5K Road Race, which this year will celebrate its 20th anniversary.
Michelle Gillespie, Applefest chair, noted the event has become an “anchor” of the weekend.
“The Applefest Committee would like to congratulate Corridor Nine for 20 successful years of sponsoring the 5k Applefest Road Race,” she added. “It has been one of our most popular events, attracting many participants who enjoy the Applefest road race and other events in our community.”
(For more information on the road race go to www.communityadvocate.com/sports or www.corridornine.org).
Since a formal Applefest committee and the Rotary Club of Northborough took over the planning for the weekend several years ago, the festival has grown significantly, Gillespie said.
“We know everyone is busy, but we would love for them to consider going to as many events as possible that weekend. Many of the vendors and participants give so much back to the community; attending as many events as possible is a great way to show support for them,” she said.
“Donations are welcome and needed,” Gillespie said, “to ensure that we can continue Applefest year to year.”
Donations can be mailed to: Applefest Committee, P.O. Box 216, Northborough, MA 01532
Here is a listing of events by day – go to the website www.northboroughapplefest.com for specific times and for additional events and to www.communityadvocate.com for more feature articles.
Friday, Sept. 20
Bake-Off, Northborough Senior Center, 119 Bearfoot Road
Senior Luncheon, Northborough Senior Center
Children’s Event, “The Frisbee Guy,” Robert E. Melican Middle School, 145 Lincoln St.
Algonquin Tomahawks versus Marlborough High School Panthers Football Game, ARHS
Saturday, Sept 21
5k Road Race, Marion E. Zeh Elementary School, 33 Howard St.
Street Fair, ARHS
Parade, Starting at Lincoln Street and ending in front of Northborough Historical Society, 50 Main St.
Apple Pie Café, Trinity Church, 23 Main St.
Roaming Train, ARHS
Sidewalk Book Sale, Northborough Free Library, 34 Main St.
Open House, Art & Bloom, organ Pay-to-Play, Northborough Historical Society
Chicken BBQ, Vincent F. Picard, American Legion Post 234, 402 West Main St.
Applefest Multiplex Theater, Church of the Nativity, 45 Howard St.
Saturday night BBQ, Concert and Fireworks, ARHS
Cabaret Performance, First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, 40 Church St.
Sunday, Sept. 22
Boy Scout Pancake Breakfast, American Legion
Taste of Northborough, ARHS
Classic Car Show, Northboro Shopping Center, 243 West Main St.
Ice Cream Social, Historical Society
Open House, Art & Bloom, Ice Cream Social, Historical Society