The Oak Harbor Apple Festival will feature a number of fun events for all ages, including rides, games, food and the annual parade, shown here.

BY SHERI TRUSTY

The Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce renamed the festival’s annual parade the Paulette Weirich Memorial Grand Parade in honor of longtime chamber member and festival volunteer Paulette Weirich, shown here, who passed away last year.

Cooler temperatures across Ottawa County and the first glimpses of red in the trees means it is almost time for the 43rd annual Oak Harbor Apple Festival. The festival will be held in downtown Oak Harbor on Saturday and Sunsay, Oct. 8-9 and will offer a wide variety of events and entertainment.

The Apple Festival will kick off with Opening Ceremonies and Royalty Crowning beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday. The Paulette Weirich Memorial Grand Parade will commence at 2 p.m. The Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce renamed the parade in honor of chamber board member and longtime festival volunteer Paulette Weirich, who died on Nov. 7, 2021.

“Paulette had basically run the parade since the beginning, and she volunteered for more than 40 years,” said Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Valerie Winterfield. “She did many other things at the festival, but the parade was her baby.”

The Apple Festival will feature nonstop events, including a cornhole tournament, a classic car show, the Apple Run 5K, a talent show, a beer tent and the Boy Scout Apple Butter Stir & Sale. Local cooks are invited to enter their best apple recipes in the baking contest, and the theme of this year’s baby contest is “Babies of the Future.”

Eventgoers can enjoy rides and games, and they can visit over 100 food, craft and retail vendor stands. Shoreline Church will lead an outdoor worship service on Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m.

Live entertainment will play throughout the festival, and the Class A Dance Studio will perform on the Main Stage on Sunday at 2 p.m. The B-C-S school choirs will perform starting at 3:30 p.m.

“There is something for everyone to do, no matter what you like,” said “Winterfield.

Admission is free, and shuttle rides to the festival are available from the high school parking lot for $1 per person. For more information on the festival or to register for events, visit www.oakharborapplefestival.com.

Apple Festival Events

Friday, October 7

• 6:00 PM – Apple Festival Baking Contest Judging – OH Municipal Building

Saturday, October 8

• 9:30 AM – Opening Ceremonies / National Anthem by Seth Auger / Dorothy Heiks Award – Main Stage
• 9:45 AM – Royalty Contest/Crowning – Main Stage
• 10:15 AM – Baking Contest Winners – Main Stage
• 10:30 AM – Baking Contest Baked Goods Sale Church St. – Near Main Stage
• 11:30 AM – Baby & Toddler Contest – Main Stage
• 2:00 PM – Paulette Weirich Memorial Grand Parade- Sponsored by: Grau Trucking LLC – Main Street Judging
• 4:00 PM – Parade Awards/Introduction of Visiting Royalty – Main Stage
• 4:00 PM – Cornhole Tournament – Beer Garden Opens – Entertainment Tent
• 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM – Music by Johnny & Jen – Sponsored by: Carter Lumber – Entertainment Tent
• 6:300 PM – 8:00 PM – Annual Talent Show – Main Stage
• 8:00 PM – Dance/Beer Tent – “The Junk” -21 & Over- Sponsored by: Oak Harbor Rotary – Entertainment Tent

Sunday, October 9

• 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM – Shoreline Church Outdoor Worship Service – Main Stage
• 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM – Portage Fire Department Open House Portage – Fire Station
• 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM – Free Kids Crafts Portage – Fire Station
• 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Apple Festival Car Show – Oak Harbor High School
• 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM – Mark Wilkins- Live Music – Main Stage
• 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Muddy & Spike – Mascots on Midway – Festival Strolling
• 1:00 PM – Youth Ages 8 & Under Apple Run – Oak Harbor Middle School
• 1:30 PM – Youth Ages 9-14 Apple Run – Oak Harbor Middle School
• 2:00 PM – 5K Run & Walk – Oak Harbor Middle School
• 2:00 PM – Class A Dance Studio Performance – Main Stage
• 3:00 PM – Apple Run Awards – Oak Harbor Middle School
• 3:30 PM – B-C-S School Choirs – Main Stage
• 3:30 PM – Car Show Awards – Oak Harbor High School

Saturday & Sunday

• Boy Scout Apple Butter Stir & Sale – Park – Beside Main Stage
• Rides & Games – Provided by: D & R Amusements – Mill Street Parking Lots
• Rummage Sale – St. John Lutheran Church
• Over 100 Food, Craft & Retail Vendors – Church & Water Streets