Apple 'n Arts plans to scale back fall festival

While a final decision has not been made yet, organizers for the annual Apple ’n Arts Festival are considering paring it back to an apple cider drive-thru this year due to the covid-19 pandemic and the ever-evolving health and safety guidelines associated with it.

Festival officials on Tuesday night laid out plans for a scaled-down version of the event, which regularly draws tens of thousands to Delmont each year.

“We planned to scale back vendors, we canceled all of entertainment, there wouldn’t be a petting zoo,” festival President Lance Holt said. “Anything that would cause people to congregate, we’re trying to do away with this year.”

Several members of Delmont Council, however, said the festival, itself, would be reason for large crowds to gather.

“With all of the uncertainty, if we have this (festival), it may be the only one in the area,” said Councilman Dave Weber. “That will attract people who haven’t had a chance to go to other events.”

Fellow councilman Dennis Urban agreed.

“Ligonier Days was canceled, the fair at Twin Lakes (Park) was canceled. I think we should really ride that out,” Urban said.

For the festival committee, canceling would be a disappointment, but not a costly one: proceeds from vendor fees are passed on in the form of community grants.

For the members of the Fort Allen Antique Farm Equipment Association, who operate the century-old apple press and supply the apples that go into the hopper, there’s the matter of $10,000 to $15,000 in annual expenses and insurance costs, which has been raised via the festival.

For Delmont Police Chief T.J. Klobucar, the main concern is not just health and safety, but the additional risk to both created by a massive amount of traffic in the 1-square-mile borough. That was heightened when festival organizers said they plan to do away with the festival’s typical off-site parking and shuttle buses, due to health concerns.

“I love the apple festival,” Klobucar said. “My guys love working it. But even though you’re (talking about) scaling it back, everyone is still going to come to our little town.”

Solicitor Dan Hewitt said that while festival staff could limit the number of vendors, “you really can’t limit people’s desire to participate. As you said, people are chomping at the bit to do something.”

Klobucar and council members said they’d support a drive-thru model for the festival. Organizers agreed to look into the feasibility of drive-thru service as the model.

“I think our part is kind of done, and our job now is to see how we can help Fort Allen out,” Holt said.

Weber agreed.

“Now is not the time to have (this festival), and it pains me to say that,” he said. “But I think the risk is much greater than the reward.”