The old apple juice press is a perennially popular attraction at Apple Day.
Apple Day, which will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. October 9 is also the annual closing weekend event for the Keremeos Grist Mill and Gardens.
The 1877 water driven flour mill was fully restored during the 1990’s and local efforts are now directed to support for the operators contracted with Heritage BC and to raise fund to support preservation of a “heritage treasure”.
The Grist Mill Heritage Club invites vendors of arts, crafts and edibles to take up a spot in the gardens to show and sell their wares.
The Apple Pie Baking Contest is a highlight of the afternoon with deadline for entries at 1:30 p.m., judging at 2 and prizes awarded at 3. Pie pieces are sold to raise funds to help preserve the old mill artifacts.
The Grist Mill Visitor’s Centre gift shop and tea room are open as usual from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
There will be barbecued burgers and sausage with trimmings served by Grist Mill Heritage Club volunteers.
Live music is part of the Apple Day celebration.
Apple Day visitors can press apples the old fashioned way to make juice, race apples down Keremeos Creek for dandy prizes and guess how many apples are in the old barrel.
“It’s a beautiful time of year to visit the mill and gardens”, says Jim Miller who is the curator and operator for the Provincial Heritage Site.
With the season coming to a close, it’s a great opportunity for locals who haven’t visited the peaceful historic site and enjoy a leisurely afternoon on the grounds of one of the oldest historic attractions in the region.
Inquiries, including vendor applications, go to The Grist Mill Heritage Club at 250-499-5417 or 250-499-2888.