Apple harvest festival delivers fun and food

AMANDA LUNDERGAN 17′
A&E EDITOR

Along with picking pumpkins, wandering through corn mazes and exploring haunted houses, fall in New England would is not complete without attending an Apple Harvest Festival. Glastonbury, Conn. hosted their 41st annual Apple Harvest Festival last weekend in Riverfront Park. Over 300 volunteers donate their time every year to make this event happen and put together tents filled with local art and crafts and live musical performances. Last year, they proudly brought in over 15,000 attendees, and this year, they broke that record with over 20,000. The weekend of Friday, Oct. 16th, the Apple Harvest Festival boasted over 40 musical acts, dozens of craft booths, delicious food and treats, a pie-eating contest, amusement rides, pony rides, and more. More than 100 vendors were present at the festival, displaying their own artwork. One vendor specialized in keychains with magnified quotes, while other vendors sold homemade soaps, wood carvings, paintings, knitted items, and even musical instruments.

There were also plenty of different activities in which to take part, including silent movies after dark. On Friday night, they played “A Night in the Show,” starring Charlie Chaplin, and “Nosferatu.” On Saturday night, they played “The Balloonatic”, starring Buster Keaton, and “The Charlie Chaplin Festival.” However, there was much more to enjoy than just silent films.

People of all ages and towns in Connecticut attended the family-friendly event. With more than 30 food tents, attendees were able to satisfy their fair food cravings. The food tents included NoRA Cupcake Company, Poutine Gourmet, A Villa Louisa, Pete’s Popcorn, and more.

While some attended for the food, others preferred the variety of live music. There were three stages, featuring truly seasonal seating—stacks of hay. Of the over 40 bands that attended, the Michael Cleary Band was the most engaging. The band,  a five-person, all-male group, performed upbeat, funky tunes. The band grabbed the attention of both the older audience, who appreciated their old-school sound, and the younger audience, who enjoyed their catchy jams while exploring the festival. The Apple Harvest Festival proudly presented the Michael Clearly Band with Edmund Peart on drums and vocals, Zach Vetter on guitar and vocals, Jedd Chlebowski on bass guitar, Vince Delaria on keyboard and vocals, and Michael Cleary on guitar and vocals. The group  has won many awards in their 24 years of touring, such as the 2014 Best Jam Band in the CT Music Awards and the 2009 Best Jam Band in the Hartford Advocate Readers’ poll. Each of the members of the band has their own distinct sound, but together they seamlessly acted as one.  Despite the dropping temperatures and persistent snowfall during the festival, the Michael Cleary Band was able to engage the audience and bring out everyone’s best smiles and dance moves.

All weekend long, Glastonbury was ignited with the spirit of autumn by their unique musicians, artwork, food, and activities. For just $3 on Friday night and $5 on Saturday and Sunday, the Apple Harvest Festival was an affordable off-campus event that all Trinity students should experience in their four years here.