FAIRFIELD – The borough of Fairfield’s annual PippenFest happened Sept. 27-28 in the Historic District, bringing hundreds of visitors to celebrate the apple harvest that has been a hallmark of Adams County history. The festival fosters community spirit, and this year attracted guests with crafts, music and food. Boy Scouts, church groups and the local Lions Club, among other food vendors, provided delectable treats.
Apples were everywhere, in dumplings, fritters, pies and bread.
The festival honors the Pippin apple, historically important as the first apple tree cultivated in the colonies by figures like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.
In 1980, David Thomas, then owner and proprietor of the Fairfield Inn, had an idea to celebrate the heritage of his community. As a way to bring townspeople together, he invited local clubs and school groups to participate in a community-wide celebration of the apple harvest. As a small town with a strong sense of community, the citizens of Fairfield were eager to support the idea. An all-day street festival was planned.
In 1982, Thomas planted a Pippin apple tree behind the Fairfield Inn with local fanfare and ceremony. The tree still stands today, and bears delicious fruit every fall
Fairfield is located in the historically important Adams County Fruit Belt, which prospered from about 1875 through 1960. In 1870, when a federal census was conducted, there were 258 residents in Fairfield, and by 1960, the population had grown to 519; agricultural production was beginning to peak.
The foundational fruit period lasted roughly from 1875 to 1905. Thereafter, the Adams County Fruit Belt developed very quickly; between 1905 and 1925 it went from well below average to the state’s first-ranked county in apple production. Once established, the county continued in a statewide leadership position, although it slipped nationally.
Some fresh apple weights and measures
Bushel (bu.) contains 42 to 48 medium apples
Bushel bag contains 24 apples
Bushel = 15 to 18 qt. canned applesauce = 30 to 36 qt. frozen applesauce = 10 to 12 qt. juice
Peck = 4 qt. canned
More information about the Adams County Fruit Belt
Photos by Toya McCleary:
