Happy October everyone!  It’s time to start thinking about this year’s Apple-Palooza!  Last year went so well that it’s definitely going to be an annual event at the orchard.
We’ve kept most of the fun close to the same as last year but we recently decided to add something new to the fun-filled day!
So…let’s take a look at all that we’ve got planned for you this year!

Apple Pie Baking Contest

Last year we held our very first pie contest and it went unbelievably well - 20 pies!– so we’re going to be holding it again!
If you ware interested in baking a pie for the contest please send me an email: {lapaceksorchard at gmail dot com} with your name and pie baking story (if you have one – if you don’t have a story, no worries). Plan on arriving at the orchard by 12:45pm with your pie. Pie viewing and photo’s will take place at 1:00pm and judging will start at 1:30pm.

Once judging is complete - I'm guessing around 3:00ish... we'll be cutting all the pies up into slices and selling them for $1 a slice.  100% of the money made from the apple pie slice sales will go to the PAD Parent Group towards the new playground in the Poynette School District.


More details on prizes, judges, criteria - see THIS POST!

Old-Fashioned Cider Pressing Demo*:

“Come Squeeze Our Apples”

Jared will once again be demonstrating how we used to press our apples to make cider with an old fashioned wood cider press. These demo’s will take place at 10:30am, 12:30pm and 2:30pm and will take approximately 30 to 45 minutes.
*Pending we still have the apples to do this*

Rock ‘N’ Wool Acres: A Wisconsin Winery – How & Why

Our cousin, Shaun Lapacek, will be giving a talk about the winery he and his father are building in Poynette – Rock N Wool Acres. His talk will focus on three things:

1. Starting a winery
2. Creating a vineyard
3. Why a winery in Wisconsin?

Hard Apple Cider Booth

Our good friend Jay Walters will have a booth set up from 11am - 2pm to talk about and answer all your questions on how to make hard cider. Jay has been doing this for years and we’ve helped drink and enjoy many of his products – this guy knows what he’s talking about.

 

****NEW*** CARVED PUMPKIN CONTEST!

photo by meliroo on flickr

Last year we discovered that there’s quite a bit of standing around while the pies get judged.  We had 20 pies last year – I’m hoping for 40 this year so we need something to do to fill in that time for all the observers/bakers.  We’re going to have a ‘Carved Pumpkin Contest’.  People of all ages can bring their carved pumpkin – anytime before 12:45, put it on display and then we’ll all walk by and vote for our personal favorite!  I’ll have a prize for the best carved pumpkin – still to be determined.  If you come in costume – you’ll get a treat!  (My biggest sadness about living in the country is that no one trick-or-treats out here…we go and steal a neighborhood so my kids can though…). 

**CANCELED*** New this Year!

Unfortunately due to to some unforeseen circumstances the Mini Photo Sessions from Pink Spruce Photography had to be canceled this year.  But don't worry - Jen will be around in the future!  Stay tuned!

Below is a rough itinerary for Apple-Palooza.  I will update it as necessary so keep an eye on the blog for any changes or additions to the day that may occur. 

Preliminary ITINERARY:

10:00—Store Opens for Business
10:30—Old Fashion Cider Pressing Demo
12:00—Hard Cider Info Booth Opens until 3:00
11:30—Rock ‘N’ Wool Acres: A Wisconsin Winery Arrives
12:30—Old Fashion Cider Pressing Demo
12:45—Deadline for Contest Pies & Carved Pumpkins to be Delivered
1:00—Viewing of the Apple Pies
1:30—Apple Pie Contest Judging Starts
1:30 – Voting starts for the Carved Pumpkins -
2:00—Hard Cider Info Booth Closes
2:30—Old Fashion Cider Pressing Demo
5:00—Store Closes