by Lisa Tome
Contributing editor
You can't get this flavor from the microwave.
Supporters of the Cecil County Farm Museum are gearing up to host their 10th annual traditional apple butter making demonstration and festival. The event is set for Saturday, October 19 at the Fair Hill Race Track at the Cecil County Fairgrounds in Fair Hill.
In addition to the apple butter making, there will be colonial craft demonstrations, music, traditional food and drink including apple dumplings and apple pies offered from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. The site offers free parking. Admission is also free.
Contributing editor
You can't get this flavor from the microwave.
Supporters of the Cecil County Farm Museum are gearing up to host their 10th annual traditional apple butter making demonstration and festival. The event is set for Saturday, October 19 at the Fair Hill Race Track at the Cecil County Fairgrounds in Fair Hill.
In addition to the apple butter making, there will be colonial craft demonstrations, music, traditional food and drink including apple dumplings and apple pies offered from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. The site offers free parking. Admission is also free.
The open kettle apple butter making will be demonstrated throughout the day. The apple butter is then placed in jars and sold as a fundraiser for the farm museum.
Jerry England is a board member for the Cecil County Farm Museum. He is also one of those who works to make the apple butter.
"Our goal is to get a farm museum for the education or the public and the preservation of artifacts of year's past," said England, who has a small display of items, including apple butter cooking kettles at his shop, Jerry's Auto in Rising Sun. "We are working on a couple locations but we are not ready to disclose that yet."
He said that the apple butter making is a good fundraiser. "People travel from all over to buy it. Earl Simmers (farm museum member) also ships cases of it to Georgia and South Carolina," said England. "He's been shipping cases for years."
In 2003, the farm museum group took over the apple butter making fundraiser from the Elk Creek Preservation Society. Now, each group hosts their own event. Four years ago, the farm museum group moved their sale to the racetrack site.
This year, Rising Sun Church of the Nazarene will provide a food booth. There will also be hay rides, seasonal items sold by Amish crafters, a wood carver, and children's activities and games. There will also be a display of antique cars and one of classic tractors.
Despite the many activities, the "star" of the event remains the apple butter. Between 10-14 hours go into making each jar. Apples must be peeled, cut, stirred, spiced, sugared, and slow cooked.
"I enjoy doing it still. It's a lot of work, a lot of hours," said England.
Jerry England is a board member for the Cecil County Farm Museum. He is also one of those who works to make the apple butter.
"Our goal is to get a farm museum for the education or the public and the preservation of artifacts of year's past," said England, who has a small display of items, including apple butter cooking kettles at his shop, Jerry's Auto in Rising Sun. "We are working on a couple locations but we are not ready to disclose that yet."
He said that the apple butter making is a good fundraiser. "People travel from all over to buy it. Earl Simmers (farm museum member) also ships cases of it to Georgia and South Carolina," said England. "He's been shipping cases for years."
In 2003, the farm museum group took over the apple butter making fundraiser from the Elk Creek Preservation Society. Now, each group hosts their own event. Four years ago, the farm museum group moved their sale to the racetrack site.
This year, Rising Sun Church of the Nazarene will provide a food booth. There will also be hay rides, seasonal items sold by Amish crafters, a wood carver, and children's activities and games. There will also be a display of antique cars and one of classic tractors.
Despite the many activities, the "star" of the event remains the apple butter. Between 10-14 hours go into making each jar. Apples must be peeled, cut, stirred, spiced, sugared, and slow cooked.
"I enjoy doing it still. It's a lot of work, a lot of hours," said England.
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