Archbold, OH – The aroma of apples and spices mixed with the scent of wood fires and falling leaves marks a change of season and the celebration of the annual Apple Butter Making festival at Sauder Village in Archbold (OH). From Wednesday, September 24 through Saturday, Sept. 27 guests will have plenty of opportunity to enjoy apple-related activities throughout the Historic Village. The week is sure to delight all of your senses with activities including apple butter making, cider pressing, apple cooking demonstrations and hands-on activities.
Produced in the fall as a way to preserve part of the apple crop, apple butter was historically a community project – bringing families and neighbors together each fall. Again this year, guests of all ages will gather to celebrate this time-honored fall tradition at Sauder Village. The highlight of the week takes place in the 1910 Homestead where the delicious apple butter is made. Guests can enjoy apple schnitzing demonstrations in the homestead cellar and then watch as gallons of apple cider and bushels of the thinly sliced apples are simmered over an open fire and stirred until the mixture reduces to form the thick, sweet spread. Samples of the homemade apple butter will be available for guests to enjoy.
“Surviving the winter was a year ‘round activity for our ancestors,” shared Andi Erbskorn, Curator of Education. “Crops were planted, food was harvested, meat was hunted and all was preserved with an eye towards the long winter months ahead. That is what our costumed staff focuses on in the fall, especially during our Apple Butter Making Week.”
Another way to preserve apples was to press them into cider. Throughout the week the 150-year-old wooden press will be put to use to make apple cider. There will be many other apple-related activities taking place as well. Guests can try packing apples in barrels for winter storage and watch apple cooking demonstrations in some of the historic homes.
Guests can also enjoy a variety of delicious apple treats while visiting Sauder Village. There will be apple dumplings and apple pie for guests to purchase and the Sweet Shoppe will be selling caramel apples.
On the final day of the event, Saturday, September 27, pie bakers young and old will have a chance to show off their talents in the annual Old-Fashioned Pie Baking contest. Any traditional pie recipe with an “old-fashioned” flair can be entered and the winners will receive ribbons and prizes. Additional details and registration forms for the contest and entire event are available online at www.saudervillage.org