(5/30) The fate of this year’s Pippinfest, one of the area’s largest-attended, annual festivals, remains undecided, as the committee in charge of the event has canceled their last two planning meetings.
According to Pippinfest Committee Chair Sally Thomas, a decision will likely be reached at the committee's June 9 meeting regarding whether or not the festival will be held. "At that meeting, we will discuss the feasibility of going forward with the festival," she said.
The Pippinfest Committee consists of 11 members and 21 volunteers who assist with the actual event.
The annual Pippinfest is normally a two-day event, and this year is slated to be held on Saturday, September 26, and Sunday, September 27, and the event, if it is held, will take place "rain or shine."
Beginning with community-wide yard sales on Saturday, Sunday's events will include yard sales, a living-history corner, apple dessert contest, car show and swap meet, Pippinfest pottery displays, stilt-walkers, clowns, and entertainment features, including various bands and other performers.
Both days will feature a climbing wall, inflatable rides, pony rides, games, and a petting zoo, and a quilt show with demonstrations.
If all goes as presently planned, Saturday’s activities will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., with the yard sales to occur between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., and vendors to be present from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday's activities are scheduled to occur from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Free parking will be available at the lots behind the Fairfield Fire & EMS station off Wortz Drive, and Landis fields off North Miller Street. Parking may also occur at the Fairfield High School, for a donation. Organizers have noted that there will be signage indicating where the free parking lots are located.
David Thomas, former owner and proprietor of the Fairfield Inn, is credited as being the founder of Pippinfest, essentially established in 1980 as a "community-wide celebration of the apple harvest," pippins having been an American apple variety, tracing its origins to the late 17th or early 18th century.
For more information on Pippinfest, and updates, visit the event website at pippinfest.com.
