Hay Creek Apple Festival takes place at Historic Joanna Furnace on October 7th & 8th

2023 APPLE FEST PRESS RELEASE

FOOD, FAMILY, FUN . . . THE HAY CREEK APPLE FESTIVAL

HAY CREEK APPLE FESTIVAL . . . MAKING FAMILY MEMORIES
The Hay Creek Apple Festival returns to Historic Joanna Furnace on Saturday, October 7th and Sunday, October 8th. The Hay Creek Valley Historical Association Volunteers will once again tempt your taste buds at one of the most family-friendly festivals in southeastern Pennsylvania.

The traditional fall apple harvest is firmly rooted within our local rural heritage and culture. The aroma of fresh apples in the cool autumn air brings back pleasant recollections to adults and creates distinct memories for our children. For 45 years, parents have made this event a family tradition. Today’s parents who came to the event as kids are now returning with grandparents and their own children.

The Hay Creek Volunteers strive to create a unique kind of event where visitors savor homemade apple fare, experience fun for the entire family and become engaged in the historic iron furnace complex. This is an event where every family member has the opportunity to enjoy themselves and each other.

THIS EVENT, CREATED BY APPLE FOODS!
Visitors arrive early and start the day with the renowned Hay Creek apple pancake breakfast, served from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. both days. This year’s breakfast will be served in the historic Joanna Furnace Mule Stable and offer all-you-can-eat pancakes plus each patron will be served a piece of county sausage with juice and/or coffee.

Then throughout each day, every imaginable traditional apple food is available . . . from freshly pressed cider to fritters, pies, tarts, dumplings and so much more. The 19th century Joanna Furnace apple cider press will be operating throughout each day with continuous demonstrations. Experience freshly pressed Hay Creek Cider by the cup or by the half-gallon to take home.

The menu includes the combination of traditional early American dishes with such favorites as apple dumplings, apple pies, apple crisp, homemade caramel apples with various toppings, apple fritters, hot mulled cider and the freshly pressed cider.

And not to be missed is Mabel’s Iron-Kettle Soups, cooked to perfection over actual open fires. (Chicken Corn Noodle, Beef Vegetable, Ham & Bean with rivels). Mabel’s Iron-Kettle Soups recipes can be traced back to the meals served to 19th-century furnace workers’ families. These signature soups are also available by the quart for taking home and can be frozen to be enjoyed later.

The menu gets even wider . . . chicken pot pie (also available by the quart for taking home), pulled pork sandwiches, baked peppers filled with hamburger and rice, corn pie, mac and cheese, hamburgers, hot dogs, French fries, sausage sandwiches, soda, water and coffee plus additional festive foods and beverages are always available. Wine and craft beer will also be available to sampling.

Many visitors make a point of purchasing our soups, pot pie and apple baked dessert goods to take home and freeze in preparation for entertaining and holiday meals.

HAY CREEK APPLE BAKING CONTEST RETURNS IN 2023!
After a 3-year absence the Hay Creek Apple Dessert Contest will return and take place on Saturday morning at the Apple Festival. The Apple Dessert Contest is open to all those who love to create their own special desserts. Bring your entries: pies, cakes, breads & muffins and desserts to the Festival Food Court area between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. And don’t forget to include your detailed recipe along with your entry. Judging will take place at 10 am. Winners in each category will receive $30! Bakers interested in entering a favorite recipe should see details on the website for categories, rules and prize amounts or contact Ruth at 484-437-2801.

SHOP IN OUR FLEA AND CRAFT MARKET
The annual Hay Creek Flea Market will be open both days for visitors to shop. Our market includes over 100 vendors with household, antique & vintage, tools, clothing, children’s toys, home décor and craft items. The market opens early each day at 7 am!

For anyone wishing to have a flea market/ craft stand please contact Kathleen at 610-914-8152 for details. Booths can be reserved and setup on Friday, October 6th from 12 noon to 6 pm.

FAMILY CENTERED ACTIVITIES
Numerous engaging family activities are woven throughout this two-day festival. These family activities include scarecrow building, pumpkin painting, our popular hay rides, face painting and more. The children will especially love to ride on the popular Apple Barrel Express! All family fun activities start at 9 am!

BUILD A FRIEND AT THE FESTIVAL OR PURCHASE A KIT TO TAKE HOME
Volunteers have been busy this year sewing and patching shirts and pants for our Scarecrow making booth! Here visitors can create their very own scarecrow or they can purchase a ‘scarecrow kit’ to build their friend at home. Each scarecrow kit includes a wooden “t” frame, pants, shirt, head, string and a small amount of straw. Homebuilders can use newspaper or grocery store bags to stuff their scarecrow.

TOUR THE HISTORIC JOANNA FURNACE BUILDINGS
Six Joanna Furnace buildings will be open with garbed interpreters telling the full historical story of the 19th-century ironworks and village. The Blacksmith Shop complete with the working blacksmith; The Blowing Engine House with a 22-minute video showing the Joanna Furnace story; The Casting House with moulders and workers demonstrating the casting process; The Office/Store with the Storekeeper; and the Charcoal House Museum with interpreters showing the process of charcoal making, actual Joanna Furnace stoves and products and recovered archaeological artifacts. Visitors will also be able to see Hay Creek’s latest restoration project – The Joanna Furnace Wheelwright Shop.

The Hay Creek Apple Festival at Joanna Furnace Iron Works will be held on Saturday, October 7—7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, October 8, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Historic Joanna Furnace is located off Route 10; three miles north of Morgantown . . . Turn onto Furnace Road and proceed to site entrance

Admission to the Hay Creek Apple Festival is FREE. Parking is on the historic Joanna Furnace site with a donation. All proceeds from Hay Creek events support educational and restoration projects – through the Hay Creek Valley Historical Association and this significant 18th and 19th historic site, For more information, visit www.haycreek.org. or call 610-286-0388.