Article Contributed by
Jamestown Gazette Staff
It’s time for another good old fashioned, family friendly, Apple Festival in Busti, New York, according to Lori Reynolds, secretary for the Busti Historical Society.
This year’s festival is expected to bring another 8,000 to 10,000 of Chautauqua County’s closest friends back to town for a wonderful country day. Enjoy the sights, music, home cooking and dozens of variations on old family recipes for Busti’s famous home-baked apple pies, along with more than 600 others of at least 30 other kinds. Lots of fresh apple cider and authentically made apple butter help make it a real apple festival.
This year’s new attractions include 19th century pioneer games and toys for the children. Experience the fun of simple, handcrafted and rustic toys and games like potato sack races, quoits and hoops that children enjoyed in less complicated days when Busti itself was not far from the western frontier of our growing nation.
See demonstrations of pioneer life-skills, tour the fully restored and operational 1828 grist mill and the history museum. Shop at the farmer’s market, food concessions and arts and crafts show. Visit the more than 100 craft booths, watch demonstrations of spinning and weaving, quilting, flax breaking, candle making, log hewing and soap making.
The farmers’ market offers freshly-picked apples of many varieties, pumpkins, honey, maple products and garden fresh vegetables. Traditional fair foods include beef on kümmelweck, hot dogs, hamburgers, pop, funnel cakes and more.
The Busti Apple Festival is always held rain or shine, 11a.m to 5p.m. The event is handicapped accessible, admission $5, children under 12 are free. Parking is free on the fire grounds and all proceeds go to fund the Busti Mill restoration. The festival is located at the Busti Grist Mill, 3443 Mill Road, Busti (call it Jamestown for GPS nav).
