File photo by Roger Gavan from the last Applefest in October 2021. (
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Earlier this year Warwick Applefest organizers announced that once again the annual festival had been canceled due to the uncertainty of the pandemic, a variant and the long-term planning required.
The traditional festival has been held since 1989 to celebrate the local apple harvest.
The popular event, produced each year by the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce, is a major fund raiser and much needed proceeds from the event are used for townwide community projects and non-profit organizations.
“Normally this time of year,” said Mayor Michael Newhard, “the first weekend in October is the prelude to Applefest. Due to the pandemic, Applefest which draws thousands of folks has been cancelled - last year as we were in the midst of the pandemic and this year with the continued uncertainty of variant strains of the virus it was best to be cautious. It is certainly missed by many but most importantly it has had an effect on our not-for-profits who historically have been able to use the event as a significant fund raiser.
What I’ve seen in the face of the challenge are creative ways to keep our favorite organizations, clubs and civic groups intact,” the mayor added. “Nonetheless ,this would be a perfect time to donate time or money to any of the groups that make us strong.”
The Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Applefest Committee look forward to another Applefest in 2022.
- Roger Gavan