Despite drizzle, Apple Cider Festival draws guests to Levitz Memorial Park

The annual Apple Cider Festival — the second since the event was paused due to COVID-19 — drew over 2,000 guests to H.M. Levitz Memorial Park Sunday.

Niccole Rice, one of the park’s caretakers, said over 400 cars had parked by 3 p.m., with an hour left of the festival. Guests came to try cider made from an old-fashioned cider press, browse the wares of local artisans and crafters, be entertained by hay rides and live music, and more.

Rice said attendance was slightly lower than expected, and attributed this to weather concerns. With a storm Saturday evening and some drizzle Sunday morning, organizers worried about being rained out. Luckily, most of the day was clear and bright, with a cool fall temperature.

Rice said that she found Sunday’s event to be a great success, though noted she would not know how much money would be raised for the park until Monday.

“I look around and people look like they’re having a good time; everybody has smiles on their faces and looks like they’re getting full bellies and having fun on the rides, so I’m happy with it,” she said.

Though the park hosts many events through the year, Rice said, the Apple Cider Festival is the only event that generates revenue. Funds go towards maintaining the 105-acre park and its amenities, including playgrounds, a baseball court, tennis courts, and camp sites.

Read More: H.M. Levitz Park is a gift of recreation and nature that just keeps on giving

“My whole goal for this park in general is that it feels like a safe, fun, clean place for families to come enjoy the outdoors, and that was very much Mrs. Levitz’s goal as well,” said Rice, referencing the namesake Mary Levitz, who donated park land in 1977. “I think when you have events like this, it gives people a tie to this place, it gives them fond memories of this place so when they come, they’re gonna be good stewards of this place.

“Of course, I’m a family person too, so I enjoy these family memories for myself, but I really think it’s awesome that I can provide an opportunity for other people to create those family memories,” said Rice, watching her daughter while she spoke with LebTown.

Rice said she wasn’t sure why apple cider was originally selected as the centerpiece of the festival back when it started in the 1970s or ’80s. East Hanover isn’t known for apple orchards, so the theme may have been selected to its cozy fall associations, with organizers sticking with it over the years.

Apple cider, fresh from the press, was free to be sampled by guests, with larger amounts of cider (provided by Masser’s Farm Market, which also provided apples for fresh cider) available for purchase.

Volunteers also sold dumplings and donuts supplied by local bakeries, with kettle corn and caramel apples also for sale.

The festival’s planning began a year ago following last year’s festival, with Rice’s efforts going toward registering vendors, planning the physical layout, advertising, and directing volunteers, which Rice said she was very grateful for.

Rice also shouted out the “Community Corner” at the festival, in which various nonprofits and community programs set up tents and offered demonstrations throughout the day for anyone interested.