The third annual Olympic Peninsula Apple & Cider Festival today through Sunday will host community events with locations throughout the northeastern tip of the Olympic Peninsula in East Jefferson County.
Tickets for the various Apple & Cider Festival events can be purchased online at thunderbullproductions.com/appleandcider.html.
“A common misperception is that Washington state apples are grown east of the Cascades,” said event producer Daniel Milholland of Thunderbull Productions.
“But orchards have thrived in Jefferson County since the 1800s. The incredible hard cider boom as of late — and popular cideries in the area like Alpenfire, Eaglemount and Finnriver — have brought our apple production to the limelight in the last few years.”
The event kicks off today with a Harvest Dinner featuring local food, wine and ciders.
On Saturday morning, the Port Townsend Farmers Market, one of the largest small-town markets in the nation, will offer apple products.
Then, the party will rev up at Port Townsend’s Palindrome with pop up bottle shop, “Cider Saloon,” featuring more than 40 regional ciders, apple pressing and live music.
Saturday festivities continue at Propolis Brewery for the Fall Fire Party, showcasing local food trucks and a fire show.
The theme will be “We Is Witches,” and “magical brews and enchanting apples” are promised.
Sunday morning, Alpenfire Cidery will host a breakfast featuring a cider-infused Monte Cristo sandwich with two layers of Spark glazed ham; Calypso infused mixed berry jam; and Mount Townsend Creamery jack and mustard violette on three slices of brioche dipped in spiced egg wash.
Following the breakfast will be apple-themed seminars and orchard tours.
The Finnriver World Apple Day Fair will wrap up the weekend celebration from noon to 9 p.m.
Finnriver will host cider tastings, orchard tours, live music, an orchard parade, wood-fired pizza, food and treats, children’s activities, face painting, hula hooping, apple cider donuts and the third annual Cidery Fermentation Games.
All daytime events are for all ages, but attendees must be at least age 21 to attend hard cider tastings:
Today
• Harvest Dinner and Festival Kick Off — 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Eaglemount Wine & Cider, 1893 S Jacob Miller Road, Port Townsend; regional food and wine and cider on tap; $45.
Saturday
• Port Townsend Farmers Market — 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; 650 Tyler St., Port Townsend; fresh and artisan crafted foods and beverages, live music and handmade crafts; free.
• Cider Saloon and Pop Up Bottle Shop — 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Eaglemount Wine & Cider; regional hard ciders with special deals on bottles to take home.; tickets include 10 cider tastings and a keepsake shot glass; $35.
• Propolis Fall Fire Party — 5 p.m. to midnight; Propolis Brewing, 2457 Jefferson St., Port Townsend; local food trucks, fire show and dance party; free.
Sunday
• Alpenfire Cider Breakfast — 10 a.m. to noon; Alpenfire Cidery, 220 Pocket Lane, Port Townsend; $29.
• Seminars at Alpenfire Cidery — noon to 3 p.m.; apple-themed seminars, orchard tours and apple pressing at Alpenfire Cidery; free.
• Finnriver World Apple Day Fair — noon to 9 p.m.; Finnriver Frm & Cidery, 124 Center Road, Chimacum; $5 suggested donation.
Bottles of cider will be available for sale during the Olympic Peninsula Apple & Cider Festival this weekend.
