The 2025 Apple Festival will be presented by the Hay Creek Valley Historical Association (HCVHA) at Historic Joanna Furnace on Saturday, Oct. 11, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday, Oct. 12, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will feature apple-themed foods, family activities and a flea and craft market. Admission is free and open to the public.

"It's a really popular event for the community, especially in the fall when the leaves are turning and the weather is cooler," said Mark Zerr, HCVHA executive director. "People can shop at the flea market, pick up some of our soups and apple foods and make a scarecrow. And there are kids' activities."

An apple pancake breakfast will be served in the mule stable from 7 to 11 a.m. on both days. The breakfast menu will include all-you-can-eat apple pancakes, plus each patron will be served a piece of county sausage with juice or coffee. 

Apple favorites that will be served throughout the weekend will include apple dumplings, apple pies, apple crisp, apple bread, homemade caramel apples with various toppings and apple fritters. 

The 19th-century Joanna Furnace apple cider press will operate each day with continuous demonstrations. Freshly pressed cider by the cup and by the half-gallon will be available to take home. 

Mabel's Iron-Kettle Soups, cooked over actual open fires, will also be featured. Varieties will include chicken corn noodle, 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," noted Zerr. "These signature soups are also available by the quart for taking home and can be frozen to be enjoyed later." 

In addition to the apple-related menu, there will be chicken potpie, also available by the quart for taking home; pulled pork and chicken sandwiches; macaroni and cheese; chili; hamburgers; hot dogs; french fries; sausage sandwiches; and beverages including soda, water and coffee. Wine and craft beer will also be available. 

"We will have more food this year than in past years," Zerr noted. Boy Scouts from Troop 543 from Plowville will offer hamburger and hot dogs, as well as egg and bacon breakfast sandwiches. Scouts from Troop 543G will sell cupcakes. Troop 241 from Alleghenyville will sell sausage sandwiches, and St. Paul's United Methodist Church from Geigertown will sell pulled pork and roast beef sandwiches.

An apple dessert contest will take place on Oct. 10. Categories will include cakes/breads, cookies, pies and miscellaneous desserts. The food items along with a recipe must be brought to the festival food court area between 8 and 9 a.m. Judging will take place at 10 a.m. After judging, leftover entries will be sold by the slice. Winners in each category will receive a cash prize plus two complimentary passes to the upcoming Christmas at Joanna event.  A special youth category will also be available for young bakers under the age of 18.  Details about the apple baking contest can be found at http://www.harycreek.org. Those with questions may contact Ruth at 484-437-2801.   

A flea market, featuring more than 100 vendors and more than a dozen crafters, will be open both days beginning at 7 a.m. Booths can be reserved and set up on Friday, Oct. 10, from noon to 5 p.m. or on Oct 11 starting at 6 a.m. 

"Joanna Store will come out with their food truck selling hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, sides and beverages on Oct. 10, the day before the festival starts on setup day. The general public is welcome to stop in as well," said Zerr. "Also on Friday, beginning at noon, we will have our open-fire, kettle-cooked soups available for purchase in case people want to get them early. They can be bought by the quart to take home."

Family activities throughout the weekend will start at 9 a.m. each day on Saturday and Sunday. Events will include scarecrow building, pumpkin painting, hayrides, face painting and rides on the Apple Barrel Express.

Zerr said that HCVHA volunteers have been busy this year sewing and patching shirts and pants for a scarecrow-making booth. Visitors can create their very own scarecrow, or they can purchase a scarecrow kit to build one at home.   

Six of the historic Joanna Furnace buildings will be open with costumed interpreters retelling the full historical story of the 19th-century ironworks and village.

Historic Joanna Furnace is located at 1250 Furnace Road, Giegertown, just off Route 10. Parking will be available on-site for a donation. For more information, visit the previously mentioned website or http://www.facebook.com/historicjoannafurnace or call 610-286-0388.