After a four-year hiatus because of the pandemic, the Apple Festival at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Douglassville will return on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The family-friendly event will feature children's games, entertainment and apple desserts, including pie and dumplings.

Admission is free, but wristbands will be sold for all of the children's activities. There will be a fee for the first child, with discounted admission for each additional sibling. "We want it to be a community event and have families come out and have a nice (day) where it's fun and affordable," said Bill Kutz, one of the event organizers.

Activities for children will include moon bounces, games, face painting and an art bus. Allison Ueland of Party Animals Express will present a program with live animals. "The kids love it because she engages them and they see animals they normally would not see up close," said Kutz. "She gives them background (information) and explains facts about the animals."

The day will also feature an apple baking contest. Entries must be delivered between 9 and 9:30 a.m., and judging will start at 10 a.m. The entries will be judged on presentation, aroma, taste, creativity and overall use of apples. A complete list of baking contest rules can be found at http://www.facebook.com/stpaulsdouglassvillepa.

People are also invited to bring their pets to the festival at 9 a.m. for the blessing of the animals by the church's pastor, the Rev. Gregory Frey. "It's also the pet owner that is receiving the blessing as well," noted Kutz.

Food available throughout the day will include apple pancakes for breakfast, hamburgers and hot dogs for lunch and new items like Reuben sandwiches, apple chips and waffles and ice cream. Homemade apple dumplings and apple pie will be available until they sell out. "People should get there early. The apple dumplings and pie sell out fast," said Kutz.

Kutz noted that church members gather prior to the festival to prepare the homemade pies and dumplings. "They are made in the church kitchen. There is a kitchen crew who has been around for a while. (They have been using the) same recipe for years," he said. "They will start on the Wednesday before (the festival), and they will be baking Wednesday, Thursday and Friday."

He noted that several varieties of apples will be used. "We are getting them from three or four different orchards in the area. Between the pies and dumplings we use about 1,000 apples," Kutz said, noting that church volunteers must peel and core each apple prior to baking.

Pies and dumplings can be purchased for takeout. Other items will be available to eat on-site during the festival. "There are things that are being served in the kitchen that are apple focused - caramel apples; apple chips, which are cored and sliced apples with hot caramel over them; apple cider doughnuts; and apples and ice cream." He added that homemade pumpkin rolls will also be available.

According to Kutz, the festival ran for 10 years until the pandemic put the event on hiatus in 2020. The last festival at the church took place in 2019. "We as a church love having it," he said, explaining why the event was brought back to the community. "We wanted to give an opportunity for families to get out and have an enjoyable day."

St. Paul's Lutheran Church is located at 548 Old Swede Road, Douglassville. Drivers should turn onto Route 662 from Route 422 at Michael's Restaurant and travel about 1 mile to find the church on the left. For more information, visit the previously mentioned Facebook page or contact the church office at 610-385-6616. More information about the church is available at http://www.stpaulsdouglassville.com.