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Elise Wilson, 2, thought the best part of Nobleboro AppleFest was the apples. She is wearing an apple hat made by Laurie McBurnie. (Eleanor Cade Busby photo) |
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Mitchell Wellman and his mother Margaret welcomed visitors to the Nobleboro AppleFest at Nobleboro Central School Saturday. (Eleanor Cade Busby photo) |
By Eleanor Cade Busby
The Nobleboro AppleFest 2014, held Oct. 4, was a celebration of local crafts, music and good food. Sponsored by the Nobleboro Historical Society, the festival had something for
everyone.
Kids’ activities were set in the hallways of the Nobleboro Central School. Food was served and sold along with cider hot and cold. Youngsters decorated paper bag
monsters and glittered themselves in the process.
Outdoors, Camp Kieve erected a rock climbing tower that drew kids and kids-at-heart. Volunteer firefighters attempted the climb in firefighting gear while kids in
jeans scrambled to the top with ease.
The star of the event was apples. The bright red fruits were used in everything imaginable from foods to decorative artwork to apple head dolls. With winter creeping
up on Maine again, it seemed participants and visitors were determined to gather and celebrate not only the harvest but their neighbors.
The silent auction was a cornucopia of delights. Handmade quilts, jewelry, soaps, wooden toys, and food were displayed for bidding all around the gym.
The gym was the center of activity with bluegrass and gospel music, yodeling, and fun provided by The Damariscotta Lake Band.
Volunteers from Minnehata Fire Company brought their tips, coloring books, and a wealth of information inside to share.
It was a laid-back and family friendly event that reminded folks of the timelessness of such gatherings. High tech had no place there, and not a cell phone was in
sight. That alone made the day a refreshing change for locals and visitors alike.
Folks return in droves year after year to festivals like this one. “It’s a neighborhood,” said 90-year-old Jefferson Mank, “It reminds me of when we would just sit
out on porch and bring food and make a visit.”
People were certainly visiting in Nobleboro on Saturday. Laughter rang out from the elderly and the young at the antics of one another and the ‘neighborhood’ had a
nice time while helping out the activities of the Nobleboro Historical Society.
