Apple Festival in the Works

“We just wanted to do something different,” Williamsburg Church of the Brethren Pastor Alan Brumbaugh said of the church’s first Apple Festival to be held on Saturday, October 5. 

The church’s Growth Committee, spearheaded by Jeff Frederick, is organizing the event. 

“The Growth Committee was founded to get a better footprint in the community – our goal is to make sure people know that we are here and that our doors are always open for new folks to come and worship with us,” Brumbaugh said. “We want people to know we are more than the church by the high school.”

The Growth Committee was founded in the Spring of 2023 and meets every quarter to brainstorm ideas on how to get the church more involved in the community and how to get more parishioners coming to the church. 

The church already has had activities at the Williamsburg Community Farm Show and at the annual Shop Local holiday events in Williamsburg. The church also offers pastries and coffee to the public before church on Sundays from 8-9 a.m. 

The group credits Susie Miller for coming up with the idea of a Fall Festival.

“We are trying to keep it simple for this year, but have bigger plans depending on the success of this one,” Brumbaugh said.

Some of the activities on hand for the event include a “throwback in time,” according to Brumbaugh. An old cider press will be operating for attendees to watch cider being made. The non-pasteurized cider will be available for purchase in half-gallon and gallon jugs.

The church will also be offering a variety of baked goods including their yummy apple dumplings, made by a well-known church attendee, along with other food items. There will be a chicken BBQ. BBQ dinner tickets need to be pre-purchased by calling: 814-832-2177 or 814-832-3630.

The event will be taking place at the rear of the church parking lot.