This post documents my experience on September 17, 2010.
I think apples are one of the most underestimated fruits in this country.
With such varying levels of sweetness, tartness, and texture, there are countless ways they can be incorporated in every course. You can mix them with cheesy soups, potatoes, salads, meat dishes and desserts. I think they’d even taste great cooked and mixed with some gourmet macaroni and cheese (maybe with some bacon mixed in).
That said, I’m usually disappointed with apple festivals because it’s almost always the same type of apple products…
…fritters, candy/caramel apples…
…dumplings, cider and pie.
The Elyria Apple Festival was fairly the same…
…giving a little more than other apple festivals through Grobe Fruit Farm products…
…fried apples and ice cream…
…and green apple slush…
…while even having a cider press and children’s activity center…
…with apple-themed crafts.
I still think, though, that other food booths could have incorporated apples in their menu for the festival’s sake…
…especially those locally owned…
…or when it called for it (who doesn’t include applesauce?).
Still, the festival took place in a beautiful location…
…where people gathered in Ely Park…
…and listened to the strange (recorded?) karaoke music blasting from the gazebo.
There were kids’ games and fun…
…an area for shopping…
…and even some battle kids who loved chatting on their cell phones.
But even with their menacing emblem…
…and their sharpened skills… …they didn’t impose any threat onto festival goers…
…unlike vehicles who took a wrong turn onto the festival grounds. So allow me to thank those Elyria officers for keeping us safe…
…and for risking everything. Thanks!