Applefest offers ton of fresh fruit for sale and much more to raise money for charitable missions

Dede Biles, Aiken Standard, S.C.
·2 min read

Nov. 6—Fans of fresh fruit had a ton of options Saturday during Applefest at St. John's United Methodist Church.

In all, 2,000 pounds of apples were available for purchase, said Bob Fogle.

He has been in charge of the apple market at the event, which is an autumn tradition in Aiken, for 11 years.

"Basically, what I do is monitor the sales," said Fogle soon after Applefest's 8 a.m. start. "I see what kinds of apples sell the best, and then I order more of those the following year from North Carolina. The ones that sell the least, I order less of those."

For the 2022 edition of Applefest, Fogle expected the Arkansas Black, Pink Lady and Stayman apples to be the most popular varieties.

He likes Pink Lady apples the best.

"They are juicy, crisp, sweet and tart," Fogle said. "They've got everything going for them."

Gerry Stejskal and her significant other, Sam Weaver, were busy filling bags with fruit to take home.

"It's fun to buy apples," Stejskal said. "I like to cook, and I like to eat them. A lot of times, I make cobblers. You see varieties here that you don't normally see."

As for Weaver, "I eat them," he said. "I cook, but not a lot."

In St. John's gym, Dr. Tim McClendon, who is the church's senior pastor, spoke into a microphone while urging attendees to spend their money.

"We welcome you to St. John's. Welcome to St. John's," he said. "Hey, hey, ho, ho, please make your purchases. Make your purchases."

In addition to fresh fruit, there was food made with and without apples for sale at Applefest along with books, framed prints, holiday decorations, clothing, shoes and much more.

A silent auction also was held.

Applefest "is a blast," McClendon said. "It pulls the whole church together.

"It pulls everybody's goodies out of their attics, and it pulls everybody's efforts together," he continued. "It unites us and gets us all focused in the same direction in trying to help Aiken."

McClendon estimated that 400 to 500 of St. John's more than 2,000 members participate as volunteers in Applefest.

The proceeds from this year's event will go to Aiken Senior Life Services, The Bridge 2 Home and the Jack Meeks Memorial Wheelchair Ramp Ministry.

Audrey Osteen, one Applefest's several 2022 co-chairs, described the event as hectic at times, but also enjoyable.

"There is a lot of fellowship," she said. "We have the opportunity to talk to the community, and we love that. This is a mission-oriented church. That's what we're all about."

St. John's is at 104 Newberry St. N.W.

For more information about the church, call 803-648-6891 or visit stjaiken.org.