We’ve had amazing weather this entire 2015 apple season … except for Apple Palooza.  Of course!  There was a wet mist happening most of the morning and into the afternoon.  It was definitely not perfect weather for an event at the apple orchard.  That being said – you folks still made it a great day!

We had 16 pies entered in the pie contest this year.  Everyone did a fabulous job – the pies were delicious! (I may have tried quite a few …)

Here’s a picture of our fabulous judges …

and our official pie cutter, Jason. 

Carolyn Brown was the ecstatic winner of this years pie contest!  She’s entered every year and has taken 2nd or 3rd every year … this was her year!  I was happy to award her the golden apple, a certificate for a FREE pie every month for a year from Monty’s Blue Plate Diner, a gift certificate to the Lapacek’s Orchard, and a copy of

First Prize Pies: Shoo-Fly, Candy Apple, and Other Deliciously Inventive Pies for Every Week of the Year (and More)!

 

2nd place with the silver apple and a gift certificate to the orchard went to Melissa Fischer!  Melissa also won the ‘Prettiest Pie’ prize. 

And 3rd place with a bronze apple and a gift certificate went to Mary Severson!

Most Creative Pie went to Emily Hefko!

Thank you to everyone who brought a pie and everyone who stopped to buy slices.  We raised over $140 for the Poynette PAD Parent Club in pie slice sales!

Along with the pie contest we also held a ‘Carved Pumpkin Contest’.  We had four gorgeous pumpkins brought and put on display!

The first prize pumpkin was by Maizie Waerzeggers!  She received a 1 X Brass and Walnut Pro Pumpkin Carving Tool Kit and a copy of Extreme Pumpkin Carving, Second Edition Revised and Expanded: 20 Amazing Designs from Frightful to Fabulous! 

 

Thanks once again to everyone for making this rainy day a fabulous and fun day at the orchard!

Apple-Palooza 2015 is this Saturday, October 24th!  I hope you’re all as excited as we are.  Have you purchased your apples for the pies you’re bringing for the contest?  Planned how you are going to carve your pumpkin for the carved pumpkin contest?  Prepared your family for all the fun they’re going to have at the orchard in just 2 days!

Let’s go over the final itinerary of the day and then I’ll feature a few of the special events that are happening too!

ITINERARY for October 24th:

Prior to opening … apple pies and carved pumpkins can be dropped off prior to opening but please contact me if you’re planning on coming before 9am.  608-635-4780

9:00—Store Opens for Business
10:30 – Kraut Making Station Opens
11:00 – Lonely Oak Farm, Matilda Jane Clothing, and Fuzzy Monkey will be set up and ready for business!
12:45—Deadline for Contest Pies & Carved Pumpkins to be Delivered and Viewing of the Apple Pies
1:00—Apple Pie Contest Judging Starts
1:00 – Voting starts for the Carved Pumpkins -
1:15—Old Fashion Cider Pressing Demo
3:00 – Lonely Oak Farm closes down
3:00-4:00* – Pie and Pumpkin winners are announced *this will happen as soon as the judging is finished and everything is tallied up.  Once the winners have been announced – pie slices will be sold for $1/slice with proceeds going to the Poynette School Parent Club. 
4:00 – Matilda Jane Clothing, Fuzzy Monkey and Kraut station close up
6:00—Store Closes
*this will happen as soon as the judging is finished and everything is tallied up.  Once the winners have been announced – pie slices will be sold for $1/slice with proceeds going to the Poynette School Parent Club.

 

Lonely Oak Farm – amazing brats and hot dogs!  Buy them fresh to enjoy right away – or frozen to enjoy later!

Matilda Jane Clothing –

Nicolle Ward, our local Matilda Jane rep will be bringing the Matilda Jane trunk to the orchard! 

photo by Karmen Lindner Photography of the Fall 2014 release

You and your children can try on these gorgeous, impeccably made clothing and see why they make everyone happy as soon as they put them on!

Some extra exciting news about the sales made from my trunk show is that 20% of the proceeds will be going to the Poynette School District PAD Club! 

Fuzzy Monkey

Cindi Haynie will be here with her fun upcycled sweater creations – including great mittens to keep your hands toasty warm for these upcoming chilly days!

Apple Pie Contest –

Pies need to arrive no later than 12:45 to be included in the pie contest.  The winner of the contest will get a free pie a month for an entire year from Monty’s Blue Plate Diner!  Other fun prizes will also be awarded.  At the conclusion of the contest the pies will be cut up and sold for just $1/slice.  100% of the proceeds will go to the Poynette School District PAD Club. 

Carved Pumpkin Contest -

Carved Pumpkins need to be here no later than 12:45.  The pumpkin with the most votes by the time the apple pie judging is complete will win a prize!

Old Fashion Cider Pressing Demo -

Jared will be doing a demonstration of how we used to make cider with a small wooden press at 1:15.  Be sure to head over and see how it works!

Kraut Making Station -

Stop by the station to see how Kraut is made or to make your very own bucket to take home and ferment! More info here.

 

As you can see – October 24th is going to be a great day to come out to the orchard!

Have you ever wondered how Sauerkraut is made?  Well – you’re opportunity to find out and even make your very own is here!  We have a lot of cabbage and we want to invite YOU to come and make your very own sauerkraut!

What:  Kraut Making at Apple Palooza!

When:  Saturday, October 24th from 10:30pm to 4pm

Where:  Lapacek’s Orchard, N1959 Kroncke Road, Poynette, WI

What’s Happening?

• Help make the kraut (sauerkraut).
  
• Take home a bucket of kraut (about 6 quarts) to ferment at home.
  Fermentation takes 6 to 8 weeks.
  
• You'll leave with instructions to can or freeze your kraut after
  fermentation is complete. Or just put it in the frig and eat it over
  the next few months.
  
• Cost is $15 per bucket of kraut.
  
• Bring the whole family. Make one bucket or several. Stop by anytime between 10:30 to 4 on Saturday during Apple-Palooza to make your bucket or buckets.