The Apple Festival has been gone now far longer than it ran.
But for 18 years — from 1982 to 1999 — it was one of the highlights of autumn in Westport.
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Conceived by Staples High School PTA leader (and, later, 2nd Selectwoman) Betty Lou Cummings, it was a celebration of apples, apple cider, apple pies — and a huge fundraiser for Staples organizations.
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Betty Lou Cummings and a gift basket filled with (probably) apples.
The fieldhouse was filled with up to 10,000 visitors. Booths, games, food, fun — it was all there. Any high school club or team could offer anything.
One of the most popular, year after year, was Staples Players’ Haunted House. Coming right before Halloween — and with teenage actors eager to entertain (and scare) little kids, it was a no-brainer.
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The cast of Staples Players’ Haunted House.
Eventually, CLASP joined as a sponsor, and recipient of funds.
With Election Day around the corner, the Apple Festival also attracted politicians. Bob Dole showed up one year, stumping for someone I’ve long since forgotten.
Today, the Apple Festival — like the Great Race and Festival Italiano — is just a memory.
We’ve got new traditions, like the Slice of Saugatuck.
How do you like them apples?
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