Apple festival’s fun for everyone

Visitors from around the State are expected to descend upon Donnybrook this weekend as the town celebrates its 64th annual Donnybrook Apple Festival.

Festival president Charlie Pizzino said this year’s event would have something for everyone.

Mr Pizzino said the festival, which will be held on Saturday and Sunday at Egan Park, had a long history in Donnybrook.

“It has been running since way back to the 50s,” he said.

“It went into recession for a while but it has come back.

“There was a period when it only ran every second year but we have brought it back to every year.”

Mr Pizzino said this year’s parade would feature a variety of floats and vehicles.

“We have some classic cars, vintage cars and some hot rods,” he said.

“The parade fires off at midday and the main road gets closed off until that goes through.

“It will be a pretty long parade this year.”

Mr Pizzino said there would be entertainment for families throughout the two-day event.

This would include the fireworks on Saturday night as well as a band playing on the night.

A wide selection of food stalls would offer plenty of variety over the two days for people to enjoy a meal.

Mr Pizzino said the log chop event on Sunday always drew a crowd.

“There will be a bouncy castle for the kids and there will also be a whip-cracking display.

“There will also be a big tent where people can sit down and enjoy a drink.”

Mr Pizzino said the vintage machinery display was often a hit with the crowds.

“We have got 13 old tractors coming in to be on display,” he said.

“There will be vintage stationary engines and the vintage cars are always a big drawcard as well.

“People always come up to the cars and talk about their memories of riding in the classic cars and tractors when they were kids.”

Mr Pizzino said the festival was not just about apples but a variety of produce grown in the area.

“There will be a lot of apple pies and toffee apples here over the two days,” he said.

“But there will be a lot of other vegetables including pumpkins and others grown in Donnybrook.”

On Sunday there will also be two Easter egg hunts at 10.30am and 11.30am for children in Year 6 and under.