
Reports and photos by Melanie Petrucci and Ed Karvoski, Jr., Contributing Writers

Northborough – Northborough bid adieu to summer with a glorious and unseasonably warm send-off during the Applefest weekend of Sept. 19- 22 with events from one end of the community to the other.
Even though most of the evening activates were canceled due to the severe threat of EEE, well over a 1,000 people came together, from Northborough and neighboring communities, to sample the very best that Northborough has to offer.
On Saturday, just in the downtown section of Northborough alone, attendees had the choice of the Applefest Friends of Library Side Walk Book Sale at the Northborough Free Library, the Farmers Market and the Rotary Club’s Street Fair held on Blake Street that showcased local businesses, nonprofit organizations, school groups and a variety of food options.
A huge draw for all age ranges was the Open House held at the Northborough Fire Department, 11 Pierce St., where it was estimated that at least 500 people had stopped by.
“We try to do the Open House every year during Applefest Weekend. They used to be on a stand-alone weekend but now we try to couple it with Applefest. Everybody is out and it’s a great time to get people into the station and check out what we have,” remarked Fire Captain Jamie Desautels.
Other events on Friday and Saturday included a Girl Scout Pizza Dinner, the popular Apple Bake-off and Luncheon held at the Northborough Senior Center, Applefest 5K Road Race, the Junior Woman’s Apple Pie Café, Art Guild Show and Art & Bloom, a hike at Edmunds Hill, Church of Nativity Fall Festival, American Legion Chicken BBQ and an Applefest Contra Dance.
The 29th annual Applefest Parade took place on a warm and sunny Sept. 22 in downtown Northborough. Honored as grand marshal was longtime community volunteer and former Northborough Selectman Joann Sharp.
A caravan of antique and classic vehicles led the parade. Also traveling the parade route were state and town officials, civic and school groups, as well as local and visiting bands. A number of floats represented organizations and businesses. The Aleppo Shriners mini-vehicles brigade amused parade spectators.
Countless kids went home with bags full of goodies tossed to the sidelines by parade participants.
Other Sunday events included the Boy Scout Pancake Breakfast, Classic Car Show, Cultural Festival and Taste of Northborough.


















