All things apple - apple dumplings, apple pies, apple crisp, homemade caramel apples, apple fritters, hot mulled cider and freshly pressed cider - will be the stars of the upcoming Hay Creek Apple Festival to be held on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 9 and 10, at Historic Joanna Furnace, 1250 Furnace Road, Geigertown.

The event, presented annually by the Hay Creek Valley Historical Association (HCVHA), will include most of the events that visitors have come to enjoy through the years. "We did a mini event last year. We are building back to our traditional Apple Festival," noted Mark Zerr, HCVHA executive director.

The event will begin each day with an apple pancake breakfast that will be served from 7 to 10 a.m. "We are planning our regular Apple Festival with modifications. For instance, we will offer our pancake breakfast, but it will be outside instead of in our (Mule Stable) building," Zerr noted. "We have an outside seating area."

Apple dishes will be available for eat-in or takeout. "This year, you can eat here. Last year, everything was to-go," said Zerr.

The 19th-century Joanna Furnace apple cider press will operate throughout each day with continuous demonstrations. Cider will be sold by the cup or by the gallon to take home.

Mabel's Iron-Kettle Soups, cooked over actual open fires, will also be a highlight of the weekend. Varieties will include chicken corn, beef vegetable and ham and bean with rivels. "Mabel's Iron-Kettle Soups recipes can be traced back to the meals served to 19th-century furnace workers' families," Zerr pointed out. Soup, as well as chicken potpie, will be available by the quart.

A flea market will be open both days. Committee members from HCVHA's newly acquired Tri-County Heritage Library will also have books for sale.

"We will have everything from the traditional flea market items to antiques and crafts," said Zerr. Vendors interested in a flea market or craft stand should call Kathleen at 610-914-8152 for details.

Family activities during the Apple Festival will include scarecrow making, pumpkin painting and hayrides. "Returning this year, which was not (offered) last year, is the Apple Barrel Express," Zerr added, explaining that the activity, which is geared for young children, is a tractor-pulled plastic barrel train ride.

The Joanna Furnace buildings will be open and staffed by interpreters. The buildings include the blacksmith shop, the blowing engine house, the casting house, the office/store and the charcoal house museum. Visitors will also be able to see Hay Creek's latest restoration project - the Joanna Furnace wheelwright shop.

Joanna Furnace is located off Route 10, 3 miles north of Morgantown. Masks are optional, but visitors should maintain social distancing. Admission to the Hay Creek Apple Festival is free. Parking will be available on-site by donation. All proceeds will benefit the HCVHA, which is the nonprofit organization that preserves and maintains the Historic Joanna Furnace site. For more information, visit http://www.haycreek.org or call 610-286-0388.