|
To enjoy apples is to attend the Apple Squeeze with; apple pies, apple cakes, apple cider, even apple pizza! In addition, there are foods ranging from ethnic to all-American. The whole family can join in on the fun with: hay rides and pony rides, a Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off, a Children's Dog Contest, an Apple Pie Contest, clowns and face painting, craft demonstrations, great sidewalk sales and an exciting parade featuring antique and in service fire apparatus. Come listen to area singers, bands and dancers who will help to entertain at this joyful event that began as a fall celebration for local residents twenty years ago, and today is celebrated by an increasing number of visitors from all over the world. According to Charlie, the event is free, there's plenty of free parking and “we couldn't do it without the Lenox Chamber of Commerce.” For more information, contact the chamber or Chairperson Charlie himself at 637-1634.
Click here to continue or here to return to the introduction.
|  Click Here  Click Here  Click Here |
The Apple Squeeze is the brainchild of Charlie Flint, who, some 20 years ago, sat down in the back room of a local store and kicked around some ideas for a proper way to show the viability and vibrancy of Autumn in Lenox, MA. He wanted a way to let the local townsfolk celebrate their beautiful city, yet make it in keeping with the season. Though he doesn't remember the exact moment of epiphany, he spied a crate of apples in a corner and hit upon the idea of a way to commemorate the Harvest: an apple squeeze. This grand tradition, harkening back to the ancient European harvest celebrations, involved using large wooden presses to squeeze fresh cider, some of which would be, (ahem), fermented and fortified to provide fuel for the farmer's party. The rest was left to be enjoyed by the remaining teetotalers and children. Well, that spirit (if not the actual spirits themselves) remains in this year's Apple Squeeze, which takes place right in downtown Lenox and features a host of free events which are sure to be fun for the whole family. “It's for the people,” says Charlie who for the last two years has been the Chairperson of the Squeeze. “Every year, it's different, but it's always so the people can be festive.” 