Apple pressing, miniature golf in the orchard, cider tasting, sushi, masked dancing under the autumn stars: This is the 2021 Olympic Peninsula Apple & Cider Festival.
With three venues participating, the fest will be all outdoors and put on by the Production Alliance, a nonprofit event organizer based in Jefferson County.
This fifth annual affair starts Saturday afternoon at Eaglemount Winery-Cidery on the outskirts of Port Townsend; then it will move into town for an all-ages dance at Propolis Brewing that evening.
“I’m super excited about the music on Saturday,” said alliance operations director Danny Milholland, adding that two DJs — known as Hook and Captain Peacock — will be on duty at Propolis from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday is World Apple Day, so Finnriver Farm & Cidery in Chimacum will be given over to that fall fruit. Orchard tours, apple pie and hot cider will be among the offerings, Milholland said.
“We also have Local Libations boxes, so you can have a virtual tasting at home,” and forgo the public gatherings, he said.
These boxes feature various beverages — from Eaglemount, Two Hooligans, Propolis and Finnriver — plus a virtual guide filmed to accompany them.
The guide goes into flavor profiles and suggested pairings while providing insights into the craft of cidermaking.
To reserve a box — and to find out more about the rest of the festival — visit theproductionalliance.org. The deadline to order the libations is 5 p.m. today.
This yearly celebration of cider embraces other locally made drinks, such as those brewed at Propolis, Milholland noted.
“They’ve been involved in the festival since it started; a partner in the mix,” he said.
Here are the activities on tap, rain or shine:
Saturday
• 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.: The Harvest Party at Eaglemount Winery-Cidery, 1893 S. Jacob Miller Road, Port Townsend, has apple pressing and fresh hot cider, live music by Danny Barnes, Matt Sircely, Samara Jade and Stringology, miniature golf in the orchard and a kids’ play zone hosted by Mirandy Cook, a bonfire tended by Aragorn Dean and Eaglemount cider tasting.
Face masks are required for entry; the suggested donation is $10.
• 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.: The After Party at Propolis Brewing, 2457 Jefferson St., Port Townsend, is free; proof of vaccination is required.
The theme here, Milholland said, is “mask up, dress up and dance it out,” while DJs Hook and Captain Peacock supply the music.
Propolis’ seasonal ales plus guest ciders, local wine and kombucha will be available for purchase along with sushi by Chef Wyatt Park.
Sunday
• Noon to 8 p.m.: Finnriver Farm & Cidery, 124 Center Road, Chimacum, celebrates World Apple Day.
This all-ages party offers guided orchard tours at 1 p.m. and Sugar Hill apple pie sales and Solstice Family Farm fruit sales from noon to 4 p.m.
Artists will be set up among the apple trees starting at 2 p.m., and Jonathan Doyle will play swing music from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Cider tasting, dining and pizza will be available, too.
For patrons 12 and older, proof of vaccination is required for seated dining and orchard tastings — but not for just exploring the orchard during this day’s event.
For information, go to Finnriver’s main entrance or see finnriver.com.
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Jefferson County senior reporter Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-417-3509 or durbanidelapaz@peninsuladailynews.com.
