Apple butter festival stirs Belpre’s Civitan Park
Nevaeh McCleese, 14, Kacy Hahn, 14, Shianna Cunningham, 13 and Kenisyn Maze, 13, with the Belpre Performing Arts Boosters help press the apples into sauce to be turned into apple butter. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)
Ted Daughtery, left, and Bill Vocial, right, stir apple butter at the 43rd annual Belpre Apple Butter Stir-Off Sunday. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)
Nevaeh McCleese, 14, Kacy Hahn, 14, Shianna Cunningham, 13 and Kenisyn Maze, 13, with the Belpre Performing Arts Boosters help press the apples into sauce to be turned into apple butter. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)
Ted Daughtery, left, and Bill Vocial, right, stir apple butter at the 43rd annual Belpre Apple Butter Stir-Off Sunday. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)
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BELPRE -- The 43rd annual Belpre Apple Butter Stir-Off was held at Civitan Park in Belpre on Saturday and Sunday.
The event was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but members of the Belpre Presbyterian Church, who makes the apple butter, said they are glad it has returned this year.
"Many of the visitors we have seen come every year," said Gary Chapman.
According to Chapman, they expected to sell out of the Apple Butter at the festival.
Most of the funds from the apple butter sale go to the church to help with supporting many local charities, but a portion of the funds go to the Belpre Performing Arts Boosters, to compensate for their help with making the Apple Butter.
Church volunteers and members of the Belpre Performing Arts Boosters made 45 gallons each day to replenish what is sold.
The apples that are used are bought by the church from Bob's Market.
The festival, which is organized by the Belpre Lions Club, was complete with concessions, crafters and vendors, live entertainment and activities, however due to COVID-19 concerns, the pet costume contest, pretty baby contest and the Apple Of Your Eye Pageant were not held. However, Lions Club President Bobette Grimm said plans for those activities are already in the works for next year.
Madeline Scarborough can be reached at mscarborough@newsandsentinel.com
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About Apple Butter
* 1 bushel of apples equals 4 gallons of sauce
* 4 gallons of sauce equals 2+ gallons of apple butter
* There are about 2 pounds of sugar per gallon
* There are about 2+ 10 oz. bags of cinnamon drops per kettle
* There are about 2+ teaspoons of cinnamon oil per kettle