ALFRED —  It is  a fall event themed around that sweet — or tart, as  you prefer— treat, and the Shaker Hill Apple Festival is coming up Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 23 and 24.

The event is a collaboration between the Alfred Shaker Museum, York County Shelter Programs, Gile Family Farm Orchards and The Brothers of Christian Instruction.

Folk musician John Gorka will headline the festival at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, while on Sunday, Susan Futrell, author of “Good Apples,” will talk about her book and all things apple at 1:30 p.m.

According to the folks at YCSP, there will be an array of food and baked goods, a kids zone, yard sales, more than  60 artisans and crafters, “tons” of games and fun for the whole family.

Alfred Shaker Museum will offer traditional foods and craft sales, and special fun for children and adults alike.                       

Soups, apple pies, and muffins will be available indoors from the museum’s kitchen and diners can enjoy them while studying the museum’s wall mural by Sandra Howe and  Mary Lee Dunn of Alfred Shaker Museum said the  food grill will do over-time” outdoors. 

Youngsters will be able to enjoy pony rides; for adults and children, wagon rides around Shaker Hill with a narrator giving the history. 

At the museum, folks can admire Shaker artifacts  and culture. Dunn said another  draw will be the museum’s 34-minute film about the Shakers and, in particular, Alfred’s long Shaker story. Its title is Simple Gifts: The Shaker Community of Alfred, Maine.  Showings will be scheduled at least once each day.    

For those eager to take some apples home, Gild Family Farms Orchard will be open for picking.

The Shaker Hill Apple Frestival is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Admission  and parking is free.

 The event is the largest annual fundraiser for the Alfred Shaker Museum, according to Dunn. As well, it raises funds for York County Shelter Programs Inc. — but, folks there say, it is more.

 “Its about bringing the community together and sharing the ways in which YCSP is working to make our community a stronger, more caring, place where all people can reach their potential and engage life in a meaningful way,” Shelter officials said in a news release.

   — Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.

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