Gravenstein Apple Fair 2009

(Entries to the Apple Pie Baking Contest)

Apple fritters, apple juice, funnel cake, corn dogs, cooking demos, animals, hay maze....believe me I could go on and on and on.

This was my second year as Assistant Fair Manager of the Sebastopol Gravenstein Apple Fair. The job entails a years worth of planning meetings, multiple mailings, vendor database maintenance, 2 days set up, 2 days fair and 1 day of break down. The fair is held every year in August at Ragle Park in Sebastopol.

I enjoyed this fair so much more than my first year because I understand so much better the behind the scenes. The fair works #1 because the community supports it and #2 because there are many volunteers who dedicate their time to the Gravenstein. Each year I am reminded of the how historical/important this little apple is to us.

Here is an excerpt from the Slow Food Russian River website about the Gravenstein. "It is part of our local agricultural heritage, and yet it is disappearing so fast that it could become commercially extinct. In the 1970’s Sonoma County was the Gravenstein capital of the world: today there are fewer than 10 Sonoma farmers who still make a living selling apples.

The international Slow Food movement is committed to preserving biodiversity and regionally important foods. Working with farmers, processors, and local community leaders, Farmers Markets and chefs, and in collaboration with the California non profit Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF), the Russian River Slow Food chapter is helping to develop high-value marketing channels for the Gravenstein, and to increase awareness in the bay area and beyond of the value of buying and eating this local apple. We are actively working to safeguard the future of the apple and the livelihood on those who grow it."

The fair has turned from a way to make a few extra bucks to a new awareness of a Sonoma County treasure-that is worth saving.

(Sue Loughlin the Fair Manager and Aimee)

(Everyone except Amber)

(Aimee working in the information booth)

(With the penguin/corn dog)