With papers and prelims piling up in my planner, I decided to what any responsible student would when faced with mounting deadlines and multiple tasks to complete: I went to Apple Fest. This year was my first time attending the event, and I really just went to see what all the hype was about. Being brought up in the South, but born and having lived in the North/Midwest for a large chunk of my life, I missed the real changing of seasons and the warm, tasty, and interesting motifs of the fall. I’d give the festival a 8/10, knocking 2 stars because it was so crowded, I waited in line for the apple cider donuts for 15 minutes only to realize there was a $10 minimum for using a card, so I had to buy apple cider as well. However, it was well worth it!

I was also very surprised to hear that people from as far as 2 hours away were willing to make the trek all the way to Ithaca just to partake in the festivities. But with products like maple cotton candy, kettle corn, apple crisps, etc. combined with the fact that there’s not much to do here or in the surrounding towns, it makes sense why people show up. I recommend Apple Fest as a must do. If not to splurge on apple products, to get to know the greater Ithaca area better and get off the Hill.

On September 29, I took the trip down to the Ithaca Commons to explore the famous Applefest. Everyone told me that the apple donuts were fantastic but I was really looking forward to the caramel apples, a personal favorite of mine. So the first thing I did when I got there was get in line and buy a caramel apple. It turned out to be one of the best caramel apples that I had ever eaten. I also tried the mini donuts, which were small but made up for their size with taste. Other than the food, there was a musical performance by a group of kids and a lot of cute dogs to also enjoy. All in all, I understood why so many people travel from far to enjoy Applefest.

Attending Apple Fest was an immersive experience into one of Ithaca’s grandest traditions. Coming from the really urban city of Staten Island, I’ve never experienced the close vibes of a small town such as Ithaca. Although my town has traditions such as our St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the atmosphere doesn’t really match that of something such as Apple Fest. Apple Fest is a unique tradition special to Ithaca, taking advantage of our love for agriculture and apples. Focusing on this theme, we were engulfed by all things apples, such as apple cider, cider donuts, apple pie, etc. I had expected this festival to only include foods surrounding this theme, but I was gladly mistaken when I was exposed to so many different foods of different cultures. One of the first stands I went to was an Indian food stand. I had a wonderful conversation with the man running the stand and got food that reminded me of a home-made meal by my mother. I was able to have so many conversations with the locals of Ithaca and learn more about the town behind our college. Apple Fest was a wonderful experience for me because it was the well-deserved break needed during the middle of prelims.

Coming into Ithaca, I had always known that Upstate New York was famous for its apple orchards and picture-perfect fall weather. So when the opportunity came to attend Ithaca’s famous Apple Festival, I knew I had to go. Before leaving, we were told that Applefest was an Ithaca tradition. What I didn’t expect, however, was that this year’s festival was actually the 36th annual Apple Festival! After a week of prelims, this was just what we all needed.

At first glance, the entire scene of the Commons seemed chaotic and overwhelming. There were too many vendors, too many people, and way too many apple-themed goodies. My friends and I first waited in line for the famous apple donuts, then proceeded onto various other treats such as apple ciders, smoked gouda and apple mac and cheese (which was amazing), as well as some poutine!

Everything tasted amazing, but what made me the most happy that day was feeling this sense of community and belonging in Ithaca. Cornell’s campus can feel, at times, like a bubble, so connecting with the greater Ithaca community that day was an enlightening experience nonetheless. I will definitely be going to Ithaca’s Apple Fest again next year and will definitely be getting those apple cider donuts again!

After a grueling week of the first round of prelims, there were two things I was looking forward to during the weekend: sleep and Apple Fest.  During the week, as I banged my head against my desk while applying Gaussian surfaces, I chanted to myself, “Apple Fest, Apple Fest…“.  In all seriousness, we all needed a break from the boring routine of school work, and what better way than by devouring delicious treats by locals?

I was surprised when the GRF mentioned how Cornell makes its own apple varieties.  Additionally, it’s amazing how many different varieties of apples there are.  My uncultured self only knows about Gala apples.

When we got to Apple Fest, my friends and I had our eyes set on one thing: apple cider donuts.  We waited on line for around 20 minutes before we got our small donuts, but it was well worth it.  The fresh donuts melted in my mouth, with the crunchy exterior giving way to the fluffy dough inside.  The delectable scent of apple pies, apple cider, candy apple, and other apple dishes in the air put a smile to my face.  However, nothing could compare to seeing some many families and students enjoying a beautiful sunny day at the Commons, with parents giggling with their children and people walking their beautiful dogs (it was dog heaven, I tell you!).  Apple Fest was such a nice contrast to the mundane routine of school work.  I can’t wait for next year’s Apple Fest!

Last week, I had the opportunity to attend Apple Festival which was great for many reasons. The primary reason being that I had the opportunity to catch a break before my exams. Even though I’m a junior, I still never went to Apple Harvest festival before and almost wasn’t about to go this time either. This made me reflect on how there will always be something else that will come in my way, which made me realize that if I truly want to experience what Ithaca has to offer, I would need to make that a priority for me.

At Apple Festival, I was impressed by the size and the extent to which any sort of apple related or themed product, game or activity was available. Given that many families were at this festival, it was clearly an event where not only college students but also families can relax, have fun and spend time with their families. I also appreciated this event because I had never before understood the varieties in apple based products that could be made, and thus this event got me to thinking about how I could potentially replicate some of these recipes using simple ingredients at my house.

I began to realize that this event was the large promotional factor for farms and that while this event was fun for visitors, it could be stressful on vendors who are competing with other vendors to make the highest sales. In that regard, I noticed how even when two vendors were selling the exact same products, ie. apple pies, they each were different in some way. One was a different in the types of apple pies available, and the other was the different in another category, such as customer service and amiability.

Either way, I was in awe of the hard work and effort people put into this effort, as well as the fresh and organic foods that were available. That encouraged me to talk to the vendors about how the foods were processed and produced and understand more about the supply chain. In doing so, I could see the passion of the vendors to describe their process and felt very satisfied purchasing my pies and fruits knowing the sustainable process that was used in creating them.

It was quite interesting hearing that there are millions of kinds of apples that get developed and patented. I never knew there was so many things that could be made with one ingredient, apples. I enjoyed seeing apple cider getting churned, candy apples, donuts getting fried, and a variety of apples in barrels. The line for the “apple” donuts was especially long, and I ended up getting a dozen. However, they did not taste like apples at all, which confused me. I also really enjoyed the Ithaca community coming together to support the apple farmers.

Last week I had the opportunity of going to Apple Fest with my fellow Rose Scholars. I didn’t go last year and therefore did not know how it was like. I completely loved it! All the choices of food we had were so great and everything I tried was delicious.  I was amazed by how many people there were around the time we went. I was very glad that such a beautiful and fun event brought a community together and I was very thankful to be a part of it this year, especially during such a beautiful day.

All apple products aside, I also loved the other crafts that were being sold. There was jewelry and there were two other places that were selling natural care products that were just phenomenal. Seeing all the different crafts was so interesting and it was one of my favorite parts of Apple Fest. I am so glad I was able to take part in this event this year and hope to do so the next few years that I am here!

Who knew that there were so many types of apples and even more ways to use apples? There’s something about walking around Ithaca’s famous annual Apple Festival that just screams fall. Bright yellows, oranges, and reds entered my field of vision from all angles. The air smelled of cinnamon and the sweet aroma of the Apple Fest staple: freshly made apple cider donuts. From apple cider to apple pizza to old fashioned apple pie, there were no foreseeable limits to the application of this delicious, crisp fruit. I had never tasted apple cider in my life and to have it for the first time in an atmosphere of such a community coming together was one of the best experiences I have had so far. The warmth and happiness that radiated from each person making memories all around me was inescapable.

Last Saturday I attended Ithaca’s annual Apple Fest. I always go every year with my friends, so I knew what to expect. This year’s Apple Fest probably had some of the best weather in all of the years that I have been going. Also, I found this particular Apple Fest to be surprisingly educational for me. Before we walked down to the Commons, SA Katie gave a brief talk on the history of Apple Fest, and on apples in general. My friend and I were surprised to learn that apples originated from Asia. I have always associated them with New York, so I never imagined that they could have come from somewhere else. I also never knew why Apple Fest started, so it was interesting to hear the story behind it. Apparently the person to start Apple Fest now is the vendor that sells the super popular apple cider donuts (On a side note, I noticed far more apple cider donut vendors this year than in previous years). Since this was the first Apple Fest where my friends and I were all over 21, we decided to participate in a hard cider tasting, which also proved to be educational. There I learned about (and got to taste) ice cider. The name is a reference to the process used to create it, in which the apples are frozen (leading to their sugar becoming extremely concentrated) before they are fermented. This leads to an incredibly sweet cider–almost like a syrup. The person running the tasting even suggested (and I completely agreed) that it could be used as a topping on desserts like vanilla ice cream. As I never knew that such a drink existed, I found it to be very interesting. Overall, I found this year’s Apple Fest to be very informative and delicious.

In the Fall of 1982 local farmers from Ithaca decided to put on a festival for them to sell their apple products. Thirty-six years later, and Apple Fest has become a staple in Ithaca which is why I was so excited to attend it this past Saturday. My goal: to taste the best apple cider, and I did. Although, I’ve never had apple cider before so I had nothing to compare it to. I’ll just say it was extremely delicious.

The day was absolutely beautiful: chilly but bright and sunny, perfect for a day out. I had a lot of fun going out of campus with my friends (I haven’t been out of campus much since I got here, sadly).

It’s so refreshing to see Ithaca supporting local farmers and bakers with these types of events. What I love most about them is seeing these products that are made with such love and attention to detail. There’s nothing like the taste of pumpkin cookies made with a family recipe that is decades old; it just gives you a whole new experience.

This past Saturday I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Ithaca Apple Fest. I had also gone last year, and was reminded of similar (though smaller) fall festivals from my childhood in Ohio. The attachment to apples in particular gave me waves of nostalgia. However, this year I want to focus on some thoughts concerning the nature of an agricultural harvest and the benefits it might bring to a community. I am speaking purely from the cuff, here. There is actual research that could (and, I think, should) be done relating to the mere conjectures that are about to follow.

What got me pondering the relationship between the concept of the fall harvest and the surrounding community was a combination of two factors. First was the presence of an Amish or Pennsylvania Dutch stand selling some of the best donuts I’ve ever had. Second was the rumination on the relatively small size of the town of Ithaca.

The idea that the harvest of the year’s crop is the focal point for much of a society is, as I understand it, somewhat universal to human cultures. Those cultures that engage in agricultural practices come quickly to depend on the cycle of the harvest in order to survive, and from that necessity comes a plethora of artifacts. Festivals to celebrate the harvest itself, as well as religious rites to promote a good harvest in the future or to give thanks for a good harvest, in order that it might happen again. Saturn, Demeter, Renenutet, Sheji, and Tlaloc (please correct me if I’ve misunderstood the role of any of these in their respective religions) can all be imagined as arising out of this intrinsic need for a bountiful crop in order to keep the society functioning. Some cultures even worship or worshiped the seasonal change directly, as I understand.

With how ancient and essential this idea of a harvest festival seems, then, it was remarkable to see how many young individuals there were at Apple fest. Truly, what was remarkable was how a huge portion of the population of Ithaca seemed represented (not a huge feet, given its small size, but still it was remarkable). But focusing again on the presence of youth, there is in that, so to speak, a return to form. This looking back towards our traditions and rearranging them for modern consumption is not unique to the harvest, either. But this is worth celebrating, I think. Events like this, in my opinion, do draw a community together. And self supporting and friendly communities are all the more important as cruel intentions from despicable individuals at the highest levels of society make us (justifiably) angrier and angrier.

Apple Fest was nothing new for me. My friends and I are always excited to get off campus for a while and enjoy the unique experiences that Ithaca has to offer. Getting to try some yummy treats while we are at it just makes the experience so much better! Who doesn’t love food? Even if you’re not a huge fan of apples, there are food trucks there with all different cuisines. It was, however, the first time that I had heard about the history of Apple Fest and had learned about the apple industry itself (curtesy of SA Katie). Quite frankly, I didn’t realize that there were so many apple varieties because I personally have a hard time differentiating the tastes of different apples. Maybe my palate is just not as refined as others’. I also didn’t realize that the government used to have the sole rights to new varieties developed at public institutions (as was my understanding from our pre-apple festivities discussion). I think having this newly divulged information prior to visiting apple fest gave me an entirely different perspective on my experience. It was nice knowing that I was supporting local businesses and industry while enjoying my time eating everything apple related.

Yesterday, I enjoyed a nice excursion to my very first Apple Fest. Not only was it a much needed study break, but it was also a good way for me to get some fresh air and stretch my limbs for a bit as I had spent the day in my dorm, cocooned in a blanket, surrounded by wadded up tissues, and my nose buried in books. I had been developing a horrendous cold throughout the week and hadn’t managed to take a break from academics to rest and relax. The walk to Apple Fest was oddly enough, both energizing and calming, and the crisp air was refreshment for my lungs. The day only seemed to get better as my friends, whose company I had missed dearly, steered me in the direction of an apple cider stand. I wasn’t necessarily in the mood for anything, but their insistence that I try the fresh, Ithaca made, apple cider, convinced me into buying a nice, hot cup. It was warm, sweet, a little tangy, and absolutely delicious. When I say that it did wonders to my congestion and the ache in my chest, I’m not exaggerating. It was truly invigorating. Surrounded by laughter and smiling faces, warm sun and cold air, the distinct smell of apples and cinnamon, and the underlying sense that Fall was near, I suddenly felt much more at peace and relaxed, not at all stressed about the work that waited for me back in my dorm or frustrated with having a stuffy nose and an irritating cough. My first Apple Fest was laid back and rather short, as I desperately needed some sleep, but it was rejuvenating, special, and the perfect medicine.

Yesterday I attended the infamous Applefest. While walking through The Commons and seeing all the booths full of varieties of edible forms an apple can come in. From candy apples to apple cider donuts and even apple infused macaroni and cheese it was amazing to see how one fruit could be eaten in many ways. Going on Saturday was an experience within itself. The day was beautiful, and the locals and students took advantage of it, meaning that it was very crowded. One booth I stopped by was full of a variety of apples picked from a local orchard, and it took around ten minutes to get close to it. One thing that I learned was that Applefest was an event created by apple growers and to help bring business to the Ithaca Commons. I also learned that each year the apple growers compete to create the newest best selling apple flavor. One of the best sellers in a previous year was an apple that was apple mango flavored. Along with Applefest, there was also a street designated for craft booths. The craft booth street was full of local businesses and artists who use the event to advertise and sell their products. Overall Applefest was incredible, and I could see myself going back next year!

Today, it was my second trip to Ithaca Apple Fest. The weather was perfect and walking to the commons with fellow Rose Scholars made the trip even more meaningful. Similar to Ithaca Farmers Market, I was excited to try various apple related foods and help out local apple producers. In addition, some none apple related items like the maple cotton candy also brightened my day with its sweetness. Although it was my second trip, the experience I had today was different from last year and I believe that every year, my experience will be new and unique. It was nice to see everyone enjoying this beautiful day with their friends and families while exploring Ithaca’s annual tradition.