CiderFest Partners
Vashon Ciderfest 2019
Saturday October 5th, 2019
The Fun Starts at 10AM
From TREE to BOTTLE!
Cider has deep roots in American history. In colonial times, hard cider was by far the most popular alcoholic beverage, far more than whiskey, wine, or beer. Apple orchards were planted throughout the states, not for eating but for making cider. Many small farms grew cider apples and produced cider, sometimes supplementing farm worker wages with the fermented product.
Why cider lost popularity in the US is up for scholarly debate, but as more people look to eat local, support sustainable agriculture and help small farms grow artisan crafted local ciders are growing in popularity. Vashon is home to many small farms, specialty orchards and talented cider makers. Even the casual gardener has apple and pear trees growing in their yards and probably has a cider press in the garage.
Join us on Saturday October 5th for Vashon’s CiderFest as the Vashon community celebrates of all things cider!
The day will be filled with fun events, exhibits and treats for all ages. Some of the planned activities are:
FRESH CIDER PRESSING! 10 AM to 4 PM
Vashon Village across from the Vashon Library in front of the Lodges on Vashon
17205 Vashon Hwy SW
The Vashon Island Fruit Club will be pressing Vashon grown apples and selling fresh cider and homemade apple crisps! Kids will get a chance to press apples with the Kid's Press. The Fruit Club will be selling Hot Apple Cider and home made Apple Crisps. A perfect way to start the fall season.
Vashon Island Fruit Club experts Emily MacRae & Dr. Bob Norton will be on hand to help you identify your mystery apples. Bring 3 to 4 samples of each for identifying. Also if you want to start growing your own fruit the Fruit Club will be taking orders for trees specially selected to grow well on Vashon Island.
Saturday Farmer's Market 10 AM to 2 PM
Village Green
Local farm harvests are in full swing. Visit the Farmer's Market and supplement your cider purchases with local produce.
FIRE & RESCUE OPEN HOUSE! 10 AM to 2 PM
Fire Station 55 at 10020 SW Bank Rd.
Stop by Vashon Island Fire and Rescue will have their Annual Family Open House at Fire Station 55. Stop by to visit with local Fire & Rescue staff, enjoy, hot dogs, bouncy houses, fire trucks, an, air lift demonstration and other fun activities.
DRAGON'S HEAD TASTING ROOM & ORCHARD TOURS!
Tour at 10 AM, Tasting Room Open until 5PM
18201 107th Ave SW
Tour the orchards of Vashon's own Dragon's Head Cider!
NASHI ORCHARDS ORCHARD TOUR!
Tour at 11 AM at 25407 Wax Orchard Rd
Tasting Room Open until 5PM
16906 107th Ave SW
Take a tour of Nashi Orchards to see what makes their Cider & Perry so special.
VASHON HERITAGE CIDER TASTING! 1 PM to 6 PM
Vashon Village across from the Vashon Library in front of the Lodges on Vashon
17205 Vashon Hwy SW
Entrance is $25 and includes a CiderFest tasting glass, and 5 tickets for tasting the various ciders. Must be over 21 years old. The Vashon Chamber of Commerce and VIGA's Food Access Partnership will be hosting a heritage cider tasting as a fundraiser. The tasting event will feature ciders from orchard based cider makers who focus on selecting high quality and local apple varieties for their ciders. Dragon’s Head Cider, Nashi Orchards, Vashon Winery, Alpenfire, Cockrell Hard Cider, Whitewood Cider, and Liberty Ciderworks will all be pouring samples.
Food by Gravy & Bramble House