Olympic Peninsula Apple & Cider Festival on October 13-15

Celebrate The Season, Taste The Region – October 13-15, 2017

This October, celebrate the season of the apple, Washington State’s prolific harvest, with a culinary escape to the Olympic Peninsula Apple & Cider Festival, October 13-15, 2017. Hosted by East-Jefferson County cider makers, this three-day event features a Firestarter 5-course feast from beloved Chef Deborah Taylor (formerly executive sous chef at Canlis), a robust farmer’s market, hard cider tastings, an all ages World Apple Day celebration at Finnriver Cidery, educational seminars including a Home Brew Q&A, and much more. Events take place on the North Eastern tip of the Olympic Peninsula in East-Jefferson County – single event or full weekend access tickets may be purchased now at AppleandCiderFest.com.

Apples and cider have played an important role in Northwest culture since the earliest settlers arrived in the area. The Olympic Peninsula is no exception, with apple orchards dating back to the late 1800’s. In recent years, the cider revival has caught fire and communities throughout the United States have realized their love for the delicious and complex flavors of cider as well as the magnificent and diverse varieties of apples available. The 1st annual Olympic Peninsula Apple And Cider Festival celebrates the traditions and culture of growing apples and brewing cider with a jam-packed weekend of programming at Olympic Peninsula cideries, breweries, and venues

“Inspired in part by the Franklin Cider Days on the east coast, this Festival is a new Northwest tradition, grounded in the flavor of the season and the culture of the region,” Daniel Milholland, festival coordinator comments. “Rugged, classy, and delicious. The weekend festivities are centered around Saturday’s Tasting Festival, which features a spread of Northwest Cideries and special guest producers presenting, traditional and innovative ciders.”

Guests of the Festival will enjoy live music, apple tastings and pairings, cider pressing and a lively atmosphere of networking and celebration. Weekend highlights certainly include the highly anticipated Festival-opening 5-course feast with seasonal foods and delicious ciders prepared by former Canlis Chef Deborah Taylor. Her menu features porchetta stuffed with rosemary and garlic, served with braised apples and kale in a yellow mustard seed jus, paired with Alpenfire’s Glow Rosé cider.

Additionally, the event’s Tasting Festival after party at Propolis Brewing with a fire-show and dance party, educational seminars at Alpenfire Cidery, open houses throughout the County, and an all-ages World Apple Day celebration at Finnriver Farm and Orchards are drawing the attention of people from throughout the greater Pacific Northwest region.
All 2017 programs take place within a 20 mile radius of each other on the North Eastern tip of the Olympic Peninsula in East-Jefferson County; home to a strong community of farmers, craftsmen and women, sailors, seekers, and a healthy dose of hippies. Also the home of many Northwest traditions including the Wooden Boat Festival, Race To Alaska, Festival of American Fiddle Tunes, Strange Brew Fest, The Cake Picnic, Kinetic Sculpture Race, and the Port Townsend Film Festival.
For a truly authentic Pacific Northwest, tree-to-glass experience, the Olympic Peninsula Apple and Cider Festival is October 13-15, 2017.

COMPLETE WEEKEND SCHEDULE

Friday, October 13

  • The Firestarter, A Cider Feast
  • A 5-course dinner with seasonal foods and delicious ciders.
  • at Finistere, uptown Port Townsend
  • 6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 14
  • Port Townsend Farmers Market
  • 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
  • Hard Cider Tasting Festival
  • Featuring 40+ varieties of cider, cider pressing, music, food, and fun.
  • at The Palindrome, Eaglemount Wine and Cidery (After Party at Propolis Brewing with food trucks, fire show, and dance party)
  • 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. and on
Sunday, October 15
  • Open houses at participating cideries, distilleries, and tap-rooms
  • Hours vary throughout the day
Seminars:
  • Home Cidermaking Q&A: bring your cider and talk to a panel of experienced cidermakers.
  • Orchard and Cider House Tour: learn about orchard management (organic) and equipment for cider production.
  • Apple Pressing Demonstration: led by Ryall Schallenberger of NW Mobile Juicing at Alpenfire Cidery 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Live Music featuring Joy in Mudville at Eaglemount Winery 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Finnriver World Apple Day at Finnriver Farm & Cidery 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
A community celebration, live music, pizza, dancers, bagpiper, apple experts, and cotton candy!
Participating Cideries in Saturday’s Tasting Festival
  • Alpenfire Cider (Port Townsend)
  • Finnriver Cider (Chimacum)
  • Eaglemount Wine and Cider (Port Townsend)
  • Dragon’s Head (Vashon Island)
  • Pear UP Cider (East Wenatchee)
  • Schilling Hard Cider (Auburn)
  • Nashi Orchards (Vashon Island)
  • Liberty Ciderworks (Spokane)
  • Locust Cider (Woodinville)
Special Guest Producers
  • Propolis Brewing (Port Townsend)
  • Admiralty Distillers (Port Townsend)

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