Mars Applefest offers something for all ages
MARS — The weather was perfect for the annual Mars Applefest on Oct. 5, allowing the expected 9,000 attendees to enjoy the sunny weather and offerings from various vendors.
The 150 vendors, up from the previous year’s 130, offered items ranging from beer, food, crafts and candy. The event also provided an opportunity for local businesses to show off their wares, including newly opened Loma Gallery and The Grand Candy Shop, both located on Grand Avenue in Mars.
The Grand Candy Shop opened three months before Applefest and owners Tessa and Joel LeViere were impressed with the event.
“Everything is just spectacular,” said Joel LeViere. “This event is unbelievable. It is jam-packed. People are loving it and there are so many smiling faces around here.”
The LeVieres also loved the vendors and what they brought with them.
“The vendors are fantastic. Everything I see, I want,” laughed LeViere.
There were so many requests to be a part of the event that even with its expansion allowing more vendors to be included this year, some still had to be turned down.
“I think we had to turn away about 10 or 20 people this year,” said Brian Fleeson of the Rich-Mar Rotary Satellite Club.
The space at Mars Towne Square used for the festival came courtesy of NexTier Bank.
Planning for the event held on the first Saturday of every October starts in April.
“That’s when the emails initially go out for people who are return vendors or people who weren’t able to get in last year due to space limitations. That’s when the planning begins,” said Fleeson.
One of those return vendors was Loafers Bread Company. Loafer’s has three locations, including Cranberry, where the supplies for the Applefest came from this year.
Owner Robert Stackhouse was excited about getting to participate in the event for its second year.
“It’s been a really busy event for us,” said Stackhouse. “A lot of people and the streets are packed. You almost can’t walk.”
Some of their usual customers were seen at Applefest.
“It’s really nice to be out in the community and spend time with people. We see a lot of regulars from the store, and we’re meeting new ones now.”
Loma Gallery owners Kyra and John Barbiaux, who opened their space on Grand Avenue in April, love the town and were thrilled to take part in the event.
“Oh my gosh, it’s amazing,” said Kyra Barbiaux. “It’s just so wonderful that there are events like these, with activities for both children and adults.”
Loma, which stands for Life on Mars Art, feels a kinship with any event that includes the interests of all ages. The location offers, in addition to John Barniaux’s photography, books and gifts.
One of the couple’s favorite places has always been museum gift shops, so they wanted to model that in their business.
“We thought this (would be) a great space for workshops and events. We want to do children’s storytime and crafts,” said Barbiaux. “So, it’s not just a gallery, it’s more and will become even more as time goes on.”
In addition to tents selling wares or promoting their local business, some were set up for community awareness and voter registration, like organization Operation Christmas Child, a division of Samaritan’s Purse.
Operation Christmas Child packs shoeboxes for needy boys and girls throughout the world while promoting Christianity.
“They go to countries such as Africa, Ukraine, South America and India,” said volunteer Anna Schmidt, of Evans City, who manned the tent with fellow volunteer Melissa Deemer, of Mars.
“We put in school supplies, toiletries, fun toys in them. Some of these boys and girls have never received a box,” said Schmidt.
The team enjoyed their time at Applefest, talking to children and their parents about the organization and how they can help.
“I think it’s great. We’ve had a great turnout and people are very receptive. It’s just a great way to get children interested in volunteering. The children love packing the boxes for somebody their own age,” said Schmidt.
Children who help with the boxes will get to find out what country the box they packed was sent to using a tool provided when they pack the box.
“(The children) can actually look up where the box went. Kids really love that and learning about that country, which is just another learning opportunity for them,” said Deemer.
More information on the event can be found at www.marsapplefest.com.
