Hay Creek Valley Historical Association (HCVHA) volunteers are busy preparing for the annual Apple Festival to be held on Saturday, Oct. 8, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday, Oct. 9, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Historic Joanna Furnace, 1250 Furnace Road, Geigertown. The family-friendly event will include a flea market, children's activities, tours of the iron-making complex and a variety of apple dishes, ranging from freshly pressed cider to fritters, pies, tarts and dumplings.

The festival has been a tradition for more than 40 years, according to Mark Zerr, HCVHA, executive director. "(It was first held) at the Geigertown Fire Company in 1977, and by 1980, we moved it to Joanna Furnace, and it eventually expanded into two days," he said.

The event will begin with an apple pancake breakfast, which will be served from 7 to 11 a.m. both days. This year's breakfast will once again be served inside the Joanna Furnace Mule Stable.

The 19th-century Joanna Furnace apple cider press will operate throughout each day with continuous demonstrations. Visitors can purchase cider by the cup or by the half-gallon to take home. Local Girl Scouts will also sell homemade caramel apples, and varieties of freshly picked apples will be for sale.

All apple items are homemade. Apples used in the preparation of the baked goods include McIntosh, Golden Delicious and Cortland. "We use a mixture of apples in our cider, because that's how you get the best flavor," Zerr noted.

He reported that 210 pounds of apples are used to make the pies, 480 pounds are used in the apple crisps, 90 pounds go into the apple fritters and that there are at least 2,000 apples in the dumplings. "With all of our apple foods you can eat (them) here or buy to-go," said Zerr. "You can take some things home, freeze them and use them for Thanksgiving or fall celebrations."

Also offered during the weekend will be Mabel's Iron-Kettle Soups, cooked over an open fire. The soups will be available by the quart. Varieties will include chicken corn, beef vegetable and ham and bean with rivels.

Additional menu items will include chicken potpie, also available by the quart; pulled pork sandwiches; hamburgers and hot dogs; french fries; sausage sandwiches; and beverages. A new offering this year will be grilled chicken sandwiches.

The flea market will be open both days. Those who would like to rent a stand should call Kathleen at 610-914-8152 for details.

For children, there will be pumpkin painting, hayrides, face painting and rides available on the Apple Barrel Express.

There will also be a scarecrow-making booth, where visitors can create their own scarecrow, or they can purchase a scarecrow kit to take home. "Twin Valley Girl Scouts are overseeing the scarecrow booth this year and have been busy gathering supplies," Zerr pointed out.

Six Joanna Furnace buildings will be open and staffed with interpreters dressed in period costumes.

Admission to the Hay Creek Apple Festival is free. Parking will be available on-site with a donation. All proceeds will support HCVHA's educational and restoration projects. For more information, visit http://www.haycreek.org or call 610-286-0388.