It’s time for the Heritage Festival in Nucla this weekend. The seventh-annual celebration honors the history of the heirloom fruit that the old settlers brought with them and perpetuated through the grafting process more than a century ago, and it also celebrates other local food too. Held at Nucla Town Park, and produced by the Apple Core Project, the festival is free for the public and takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
All are invited to bring their home-grown produce to the festival from 10 a.m. to noon for a produce show. Judging of local produce will take place at 1 p.m. Each variety counts as one entry. All produce and fruit must be labeled. For more information, the public should see the Colorado State University-Extension Office’s website.
Various vendors will be on site with lunch for festival-goers, including Flying Bear Pizzeria, Saucy Mama’s, the FRESH Food Hub of Norwood, Wild Gal’s Market and more. A large farm and craft market will be ongoing throughout the day.
Other vendors include Cypress Roots Craft Herbalism, Giggling Goat Farm, plus additional cottage food producers at the Heritage Festival showcasing and selling items they’ve created.
“This year is going to be very special because we have so many new, local vendors and nonprofits coming. They really make the festival ambiance feel community-oriented,” said Apple Core Project co-founder Melanie Eggers.
Some other local organizations will be present to share information, like the West End Trails Alliance, West End Dark Sky Advocates and True North Youth Program.
Renown musician B Forrest, who also lives in the area, will perform live music, in the style of folk, bluegrass and Americana.
“Even our band, B Forrest & Friends is local,” Eggers said.
Kids face-painting will take place, and dancing is encouraged.
Folks are welcome to bring their own apples to the Heritage Festival to discuss, share with others or inquire about. There will be a large apple variety demonstration. An heirloom vegetable display will also happen alongside.
As always, the apple press and vintage press will be cranking apples into cider, so that the tastes of the season may be celebrated. Eggers said her family went apple-picking over the weekend in order to be ready. She especially enjoys involving the children in making cider.
Eggers said the apples harvested for the community cider were from a local donor who wishes to remain anonymous. At least 25 bushels — a bushel weighs 40 pounds — will be available for the West End to have cider on Saturday.
And, hard cider too will be available for purchase for those of legal drinking age.
“Esso Terra Ciders from Mancos is coming to help us at the hard cider booth,” she added, “so if you want to learn about local hard cider, this is the year to come.”
What’s more is anyone looking for heirloom apple trees to purchase for their property will be in luck. The Apple Core Project will have approximately 20 trees for sale to the public.
Sponsors of the festival are Rimrocker Historical Society, San Miguel Power Association, Alpine Bank and Basin Electric.
