The annual Grand Rapids Applebutter Festival is set for Sunday, October 13.
Organizers state that it takes an army of volunteers to handle the many aspects of the fest each fall.
Any individual or organization interested in helping is welcome.
There are many opportunities for organizations such as service groups, Scouts, 4-H clubs, sports teams, family units, students who require community-service hours and any other group.
Potential volunteer opportunities include: First Peel and the Big Stir Join in the first apple-peeling day at 5 p.m., Wednesday, September 25, at the Old Fire Station in downtown Grand Rapids. Volunteers should provide their own paring knife and bowl or dishpan. Apples are peeled with mechanical peelers.
The first peel is in preparation for annual big stir to take place on Saturday, September 28, at the Kryder Farm, 4-862 County Road P, west of Route 65, between Route 6 and River Road. The Kryder family starts the first fire at 6 a.m. with the remaining three 4050 gallon kettles going on the fires sequentially at 7, 8 and 9 a.m. Volunteers begin arriving around 8 a.m. Each person is invited to provide a dish for a noon potluck.
Volunteers can stop in for all day or for a couple of hours, especially beginning at 11:30 a.m. for canning. Now, as in pioneer days, the stir is a neighborhood effort and involves much camaraderie and often an afternoon treat.
Any group that would like to schedule time for a handson experience canning applebutter on the Kryder Farm should contact Steve Kryder, 419-748-8238.
Second Peel and Fest Day The second peel is set for 5 p.m., Wednesday, October 9, at the Old Fire Station. Volunteers should provide their own paring knife and bowl or dishpan. Apples are peeled with mechanical peelers.
The second peeling of apples is in preparation for making applebutter on the day of Applebutter Fest, October 13. People are needed for stirring, canning and sales.
More Opportunities
On the day of the festival, volunteers are needed to work at the historical society’s bratwurst food booth.
Other volunteers are needed to act as bus stop greeters to welcome and assist visitors as needed when they get on or off the buses to and from the parking area.
Still more volunteers are required to set up and clean up decorations, signs, trash containers and more.
The committee is seeking a volunteer coordinator to handle volunteer assignments and activities.
Visit applebutterfest.org for more information, or call co-chairs Steve Kryder, 419748-8238, or Chuck Thomas, 419-265-7936.
