Joanna Furnace site of annual festival

While apple dishes like pies, dumplings and fritters will be the stars of the annual Hay Creek Apple Festival, the event will also feature other attractions, including a craft and flea market, children's activities and tours of the site's historic buildings.

The Hay Creek Valley Historical Association (HCVHA) will present the Apple Festival on Saturday, Oct. 7, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 8, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Historic Joanna Furnace, 1250 Furnace Road, Geigertown.

According to Mark Zerr, HCVHA executive director, the Apple Festival has been a fall tradition in Berks County for 45 years. "Our Apple Festival is an all-time classic. It's a great, family-fun event," he said. "Families can come and enjoy the nice fall weather; take in some of our family-friendly activities, like hayrides, pumpkin painting and scarecrow making; enjoy our apple foods; and shop in our flea market." He added that children will also be able to enjoy rides on the Apple Barrel Express.

Each day will begin with an apple pancake breakfast, which will be served from 7 to 11 a.m. in the historic Joanna Furnace Mule Stable. Also available throughout the weekend will be apple crisp, homemade caramel apples with various toppings, hot mulled cider and freshly pressed cider. "People love watching our cider being pressed," said Zerr. "October is a much better time to purchase apple cider because the apples are sweeter."

Also featured will be Mabel's Iron-Kettle Soups, cooked over actual open fires. Susan and Leonard McMullen of Morgantown will oversee the soup-making in honor of Susan's mother, Mabel, who started making the soup 45 years ago.

Other Apple Festival foods will include chicken potpie, pulled pork sandwiches, baked peppers filled with hamburger and rice, macaroni and cheese, hamburgers, hot dogs, french fries and sausage sandwiches.

A limited number of corn pies will be sold on-site. "(To make the corn pie), we cut the corn off the cob and (mix it) with potatoes, bacon, seasonings, a little milk and hardboiled egg, and it's made in a crust," Zerr explained. "We bake it and serve it hot."

After a three-year absence, the apple dessert contest will return on Oct. 7. Participants should bring their entries, including pies, cakes, breads and muffins and desserts, to the Festival Food Court area between 8 and 9 a.m. Judging will take place at 10 a.m. Winners in each category will receive a cash prize. For more details, contact Ruth at 484-437-2801 or visit http://www.facebook.com/historicjoannafurnace.

A flea market will be open each day beginning at 7 a.m. To reserve a stand, contact Kathleen at 610-914-8152.

The Tri-County Heritage Library will offer books for sale, including its newest selection, "The Morgantown Quilt." The book provides details about the sites depicted on the quilt and the biographies of the embroiderers - all women who lived in the vicinity of Morgantown in the early 1970s when the quilt was made.

Admission to the Hay Creek Apple Festival is free. Parking will be available on-site by donation. For more information, visit http://www.haycreek.org/hay-creek-apple-festival or call 610-286-0388.