Old Sturbridge Village celebrates the taste and history of an old-fashioned apple harvest during its annual Apple Days Festival, the last weekend in September and the first weekend in October: September 24-25 and October 1-2. Visitors can taste nearly-forgotten heirloom apple varieties, try their hands at cider making, and see the ox-powered Cider Mill in operation as it grinds and presses apples. The event is sponsored by Savers Bank of Southbridge, Mass.
Village historians will cook with apples over the hearth, talk about apple preservation, and give tours of the root cellar to show how apples were stored. Village gardeners will lead orchard walks and recount the amazing origins of some of today’s popular apple varieties. They will also discuss the importance of bees for apple pollination and visitors can tour the Village’s beekeeping exhibit and see the Queen Bee, drones, and worker bees in action in the observation hive. For all times and details: 800-733-1830; www.osv.org
Located just off the Massachusetts Turnpike and Routes I-84 and 20 in Sturbridge, Mass., Old Sturbridge Village is open year-round, but days and hours vary seasonally. Daily admission is: $28 for adults, $26 for seniors, $14 for children ages 3-17, and children 2 and under are admitted free. Each admission includes free parking and a free second-day visit within 10 days. For details, visit www.osv.org.
Click to download the entire 9/22/16 issue: 09-22-16-issbaysidebikerun
