Harvest season fun will get under way in Weston this weekend with the 29th-annual Applefest kicking off Saturday, Oct. 7.
The event starts with a parade down Main Street in historic downtown Weston at 10 a.m. and runs through 6 p.m. Saturday. Festival hours on Sunday are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Saturday parade will feature antique tractors, classic cars, fire trucks and bands, including the West Platte High School marching band. Cost to attend is a $1 donation for adults and free for children age 15 and younger. A portion of proceeds benefits local programs.
More than 60 art and craft booths will line Main Street, allowing visitors to peruse event vendors as well as browse the permanent Weston shops.
Mini-hay baler demonstrations are celebrating 26 years at the festival, with the bales also for sale. Apple butter will be made over an open wood fire and jars are available for purchase. Kids can work the apple press to see how apple cider is made.
Weston’s famous apple dumplings, apple pies and cookies will be available from local churches. Food vendors will also be available at the Applefest Food Court or at one of the several restaurants in Weston.
Children’s activities are planned both days in the park and include pony rides, face painting, straw bale maze, pumpkin painting and agriculture education interactive games and activities.
There will be no parking in downtown Weston, but three satellite parking areas along Highway 45will be available to the public with free bus shuttle to and from the event. Parking is available Weston Bend State Park’s Bee Creek Shelter, Snow Creek Ski Area and the last available will be at the KCPL Field at the Iatan Power Plant when the first lots are full. Parking for the disabled will be available at the Snow Creek lot. There will be parking present attendants to help with parking and answer questions.
Highway JJ will be open in order to allow access to Holladay Distillery and Eventful at Locust Grove. Welt Street will allow two-way traffic to access Green Dirt Farm Creamery. If entering town on Hwy. JJ, traffic will be directed to Welt Street to satellite parking.
Spring Street from Washington Street and beyond will be closed. Most of Main Street will also be closed to traffic.
Applefest kicks off the Weston fall season, with Irishfest following Oct. 13-15 at O’Malley’s Pub. Irish music, piping, dancing and storytelling, along with traditional Irish food and drinks are featured at the three-day event. More information available at westonirish.com. The Burley House Market will also be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15, along with downtown Weston shops, which will stay open late Saturday for Weston Second Saturdays.