MONROE, CT — St. Peter’s Grace Episcopal Church’s annual Apple Festival depends on volunteers Paula Waite and Dee Stelmak spending hours on end making apple crisps in the church kitchen, before Jim Waite makes boards to separate stacks of the desserts in the freezer to avoid squishing, Other church members bake apple pies, Norm Rancourt and Mark DuBail are in charge of the snack bar and Ray Lopez mans the grill.
Possibly the most vital task of all is the setup and breakdown of the tents, tables, stages and other components of the festival, which is led by Scott Johnson and Ted Christensen, according to Lauren Zorrilla, program director for St. Peter’s Grace.
“It takes a church. It’s not just one person. Everybody does what they can,” said Barb Lopez, the event chair for the festival, who secures the permits and organizes the vendors on the green.
During a coffee hour in the Undercroft of the church last Sunday morning, Lopez said planning for the Apple Festival begins in January, and Jennifer Read said it takes more than 50 volunteers for everything to come together.
The volunteers consist of residents of all ages, including area youth, from high school students garnering service hours to local Scout troops.
The festival, which has been held for over 70 years, is coming to the church and the town greens at the corner of Monroe Turnpike (Route 111) and Fan Hill Road this Saturday, Sept. 6, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A portion of the proceeds from the festival supports local charities.
Aside from the food, the festival includes around 116 vendors making unique, handcrafted gifts for shoppers on the green.
Musical entertainment will include Anthony Bucci from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, followed by the City South Steel Orchestra from 2 to 5 pm.
Saturday’s entertainment will also include performances by the Monroe Dance Academy from 1 to 2 p.m.
On Sunday, Steve Keith will perform from 10:30 a.m. until noon, and Bill Dempsey will play from 1 to 2:15 p.m.
Lopez and Read expressed their appreciation for the businesses, who are contributing to the event. Silverman’s Farm in Easton is supplying the cider and apples, Plasko’s is bringing the cider doughnuts, Benedict’s Home & Garden brings the colorful mums, and Jennie’s Pizzeria is donating the dough for the pizza frites.
G.I. Johns, which is supplying the porta potties and handwashing stations, is a business that donates a portion of its proceeds to veterans organizations, according to Lopez.
St. Peter’s Grace Episcopal Church’s ultimate mission is not lost amid all of the pies, crisps and caramel apples, shopping and entertainment.
Before the festival opens on Sunday, members of the public are welcome to attend a service on the green at 9 a.m. During the weekend, Read said church members will pass out flyers promoting church activities and its doors will be open for people to tour the building at 175 Old Tannery Road.
“We try to get people interested in going back to church,” Lopez said.
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