Johnny Appleseed Festival returns to Lisbon this weekend

LISBON -- Area residents can sample various apple treats, visit with Johnny Appleseed at his cabin and enjoy all the offerings of the 58th Johnny Appleseed Festival in downtown Lisbon Saturday and Sunday.

Vendors have been invited to give area tastebuds a preview by opening from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday in downtown Lisbon.

The festival known for its extensive apple theme kicks off with the fire department's pancake breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the Lisbon fire hall on Jefferson, with the parade stepping off at 10:45 a.m. traveling west along Lincoln Way from Pritchard to Beaver, then the crowning of the Apple Bud and Apple Blossom at noon on the JAF main stage. The Apple Seed's Got Talent Show begins at 12:30 p.m., followed by Wilson Hill at 2:30 p.m., Adam Kiosk at 4:30 p.m., McLaughlin Martial Arts in front of the main stage at 5:30 p.m. and New Wave Nation at 8 p.m., all Saturday.

The festival on Sunday features the 10 a.m. church service with Lisbon Assembly of God, the group Junkyard at noon, the 1 p.m. apple pie contest at the gazebo, the car show at the Fairway car lot from 1 to 4 p.m., the apple sack decorating contest judging at 2:30 p.m., the duck race down the hill on Jefferson by the Eagles at 3:45 p.m., Pure Gold from 4 to 6 p.m. and the announcement and crowning of the new queen and first attendant at 5 p.m. The royal court includes Aubree Burris and Olivia Fennema.

"This is a chance to celebrate our community, enjoy the tradition and make memories that last," new Lisbon Area Chamber of Commerce Director Amanda Lewis said.

A 2009 Lisbon David Anderson High School graduate, Lewis grew up going to the Johnny Appleseed Festival, so now being part of the planning means something special.

"We have a great group of people working here at the Chamber," she said.

This year, food vendors were invited to open Friday night. Also on Friday, she said the Lisbon resident who portrays Johnny Appleseed, Jerry Tyson, plans to set up a projector to show a Johnny Appleseed film on the square. He had already set up Johnny Appleseed's log cabin earlier this summer where he'll greet festival-goers.

A chainsaw carver will be on hand demonstrating his skills both days and the display of handmade quilts that has become a Johnny Appleseed staple will take place again both days at the P.L. & W. Train Station on South Market Street, with a quilt raffle drawing at 5 p.m. Sunday, with proceeds benefitting the chamber. The Lisbon Historical Society usually participates, too, with the museums open to the public.

Some of the unique events that have become part of the festival include the rubber duck race and the Apple Sack Decorating Contest, both on Sunday. Area residents can buy a rubber duck for $5 each, available during the festival or at Geronimo Supply or the chamber office. The fire department runs water down the hill by the Eagles and then the ducks are dumped in the water for the race down the hill. Cash prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place.

The Apple Sack Decorating Contest, sponsored and judged by Alterations By The Clothing Surgeon features apple sacks decorated with the America 250 theme. An apple sack is $10 and can be purchased at the chamber or Geronimo Supply. The final creation must be worn and modeled on stage for the Apple Sack Fashion Show. Rules are available on the chamber Facebook page. Prizes will be awarded for age 10 and under, age 11-16 and age 16 and older.

This year the car show will be hosted by Terry Madison in the Fairway Ford GMC parking lot off of Jefferson across from the fire department from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. There will be 10 trophies, plus Queen's Choice and Johnny's Choice. The Best of Show car will be featured on next year's plaques.

Then, of course, there's the apple fritters, apple dumplings and apple ice cream, too -- crowd favorites all around, plus the many community groups and businesses with stands to visit.

Lewis previously worked as a server and general manager at the former Lock 24 Restaurant and as an STNA at a nursing facility. She and her husband Adam have three school-aged children who attend Lisbon schools and she said she's looking forward to her new position as the Lisbon Area Chamber of Commerce Director, which she started in July.

"I am excited about being the new director and excited to see what it holds," Lewis said, adding she's looking forward to all the job's going to bring in general.

Visit the Lisbon Area Chamber of Commerce Facebook page to follow the schedule and any additional information available for the festival.