One of the great fall traditions of Northwest Ohio is set bring fun, history, food, education,
demonstrations and crafts to the many people who attend on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For 33 years
the Grand Rapids Historical Society has sponsored the annual Applebutter Fest, and there’s something for
everyone: historical re-enactments, handmade crafts and collectibles, a variety of musical groups,
children’s entertainment, fabulous food, pioneer crafts and of course, apple butter.
The canal towpath will be filled with re-enactors who represent the sweep of history from French
voyageurs and trappers to the Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and the Civil War. WWII re-enactors
representing Austrian, German and American units will fill out the canal area with period equipment and
vehicles, including an amphibious troop carrier, a half-track jeep and a Sherman tank. Artillery units
from each period will have cannon and rifle firings throughout the day. An antique farm equipment
display will add its unique sounds to the Bluebell Park area by the canal.
Front Street will be lined with over 100 craftspeople displaying their handcrafted wares along with the
town merchants. Festival-goers can browse through the flea market and collectibles area on the east side
of town.
Two stages will provide entertainment throughout the day. This year the Glass City Dixieland Band, Soul
Venture, Tru Brew, Teachr’z Pet, Rock Bottom Mining Company, Barile & May, and Wes Linenkugel
will perform.
Children are sure to notice the stage with magic, mimes, puppetry and jugglers on Front Street by Lincoln
Park. Storytellers will enthrall the younger ones with exciting tales, and a comic ventriloquist will
keep them laughing.
A variety of food will be offered, including bratwursts, sausage sandwiches, sloppy joes, caramel apple
sundaes and ice cream-provided by the nonprofit groups and Grand Rapid’s restaurants.
The main focus of the festival is apple butter. Making apple butter was a community activity in pioneer
days. Several farm families would get together to produce the tasty treat as a way of preserving the
fruit of the season. Three copper kettles of apples and cider will bubble over the fires in Howard Park,
where volunteers will stir the mixture constantly with wooden paddles for about six hours. Sugar is
added just before the thick, delicious apple butter is ladled into pint jars. The historical society
will produce over 2,400 pints and the popular treat will likely be sold out before the festival ends.

Parking with free round-trip shuttle service will be available in six areas and serves festival-goers
from all directions: Lot A on Wapakoneta Road and Lot D on Henry Wood County Road for those coming from
the west and south; Lot B on the south end of Bridge Street and Lot C on Sycamore Street on the east
side; Lot E by the Ludwig Road grain elevator and Lot R at the Grand Rapids Roadhouse on Jeffers Road
for those coming from the north. An $8 per vehicle parking fee is the only charge for the Applebutter
Fest.
More information is available at www.applebutterfest.org