Breaking News
Local News

Apple Butter Stir Off this weekend in Belpre

By Jess Mancini 3 min read

BELPRE - The granddaddy of local apple butter festivals kicks off Saturday morning at Civitan Park in Belpre.

The 48th annual Belpre Lions Club Apple Butter Stir Off starts at 11 a.m. Saturday and continues into Sunday with food, entertainment and apple butter straight from the kettle and into the jar. Bottled apple butter will be ready at opening and without waiting, Jolene Reeder, president of the Belpre Lions Club, said.

"It will be ready when we open at 11 a.m.," Reeder said.

The congregation at the Pioneer Presbyterian Church of Belpre actually does the cooking, stirring and bottling of the apple butter, Reeder said. The rest of the show is organized by the Lions Club, she said.

And it's going to be a pretty good festival this year, too, Reeder said.

Along with children's activities, planned are hay rides and a coloring contest that will be judged, numerous vendors, entertainment and a doggie show, among the most favorite of the festival attractions, Reeder said. People dress their dogs in costumes for the pageant.

"They are so cute," Reeder said. "It's one of the most popular events we do."

Entertainers include local talent, she said. Performing will be the Gypsy River Acoustic Duo and River Rats on Saturday and Levi and Hannah Westfall, the Belpre High School Marching Band and Vuja De on Sunday.

The Wayward Dancers perform late Sunday afternoon.

Reeder is looking forward to great weather for the two-day festival. The forecast is good, she said.

"It's supposed to be a beautiful weekend," she said.

Reeder acknowledges and is appreciative of the support from the community to make the festival as long lasting as it has been. Planning has yet to start, but she's also looking forward to the 50th celebration in two years

"We definitely want to do something bigger for the 50th," Reeder said.

The schedule is:

Saturday:

11-11:15 a.m.: Opening ceremony, pledge and national anthem, welcome from Mayor Susan Abdella

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Levi and Hannah Westfall

Noon-5 p.m.: Free hayrides sponsored by Gilbert’s Lawn Service

1-2 p.m.: Gypsy River Acoustic Duo

2:-4 p.m.: Free vision screenings at the Belpre Lions Club tent

2:30-3 p.m.: Doggie Pageant registration

3-3:45 p.m.: Doggie Pageant and Awards

4-5:45 p.m.: River Rats

6 p.m.: Closing

Sunday:

11-11:30 a.m.: Welcome

Noon-5 p.m.: Free hayrides sponsored by Gilbert’s Lawn Service

1-1:30 p.m.: Coloring Contest Winners Announced

2-4 p.m.: Free vision screenings at the Belpre Lions Club tent

2:30-3 p.m.: Belpre Marching Band

3-4 p.m.: Vuja De

4-5 p.m.: Wayward Dancers sponsored by Parkersburg YMCA

5 p.m.: Raffle drawings

6 p.m.: Closing

Starting at /week.