LaFayette, N.Y. (NCC News) – After the coronavirus pandemic cancelled the event in 2020, the LaFayette Apple Festival returns to CNY for it 48th year. The event of fall fun takes place this Columbus Day weekend, right off of route 11 in Lafayette.
When COVID-19 forced the fair to have to take a year off in 2020, more than 20 local groups and organizations lost a large portion of their fundraising revenue. That is one of the many reasons why Festival Treasurer and Onondaga County Legislator chairman Dave Knapp is excited for the events return.
“You know we are really really excited to get back. All of our various volunteer organizations, than help us or raise money for themselves, everyone in the community are really happy to have it back.” Dave Knapp said.
One of the many groups affected was the LaFayette fire department which runs a booth selling hamburgers and french fries. The department uses the money to purchase equipment and apparel, but lost that source of income last year. Fireman Jon Battelle loves that the festival is back because what it does for the community.
“This is a great event for the community. The Community events that participate, that have booths down here it’s a great fundraiser for them, a lot of our community events don’t have any real fundraisers for the year, so they kind of rely on this festival.” Battelle said.
The firefighters and many other community organizations are ready to go and are happy to be back for the fun in 2021. The fair this year includes many booths for food, dozens of craft vendors, and amusement park rides. The festival expects large crowds, so experts around the event say the best practice is to show up early if you want to experience everything that the Apple Festival has to offer.
The festivities run this week from October 9-October 10, and the admission fee is six dollars.
