The Apple Festival tradition continues when the popular event in Oxford returns on September 24. The co-chairs for the event this year are Neeley Spotts and Bethany Atkinson.

“Bethany and I are really excited to be back at the helm for this year’s festival after a two-year break,” Neeley explained. “Though the festival was originally started in 1989 as a fundraiser to rebuild our church after the fire, over the years it has become so much more—bringing together not only our church family, but the entire Oxford community, for a day of fun and fellowship. As the world emerges from the isolation created by the pandemic, it is more important than ever to embrace these opportunities to reconnect with our neighbors in meaningful ways.”

The devastating fire not only left the church congregation, but more than 20 community groups,  without a home for a time. Those agencies, whose focus is on helping others, have used the festival as a time to show this community just how they provide help. And make no mistake, the supportive agencies in Oxford can fill the park.

Memories from the years the Oxford Presbyterian Church has provided a place for fun, fellowship, and community outreach continue to this day. They provided roller skating on Saturdays, a place to house the First Start Program, and a home to a Pre-School Program. And of course, weddings, funerals, christenings and baptisms, Bible Schools, community meals and so much more. In many ways, the church has always opened the doors for all who needed space in the Oxford community.

Neeley explained, “This year’s festival may look a little different from other years, but guests can expect to see many of their old favorites. We’ll have fresh apple butter cooked on site, homemade apple pies, apple and scrapple, apple cider, a kids zone with many free activities including crafts led by the Oxford Arts Alliance, barrel train rides, 70-plus vendors, crafters, artisans and food trucks.”

Maggie Creshkoff will be there with her pottery wheels and a full lineup of live entertainment will be kicked off by the Upper Chesapeake Community Band when the festival opens at 10 a.m. As always, admission is free. 

To view the full list of confirmed vendors, visit www.opcapplefestival.org and follow the latest updates and vendor spotlights on the festival Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/opcapplefestival.

People wait expectantly each year for the last Saturday of September when they are awakened to the smell of apple butter, and that smell beckons everyone back to a sweeter, gentler time. 

The Apple Festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.