As a result of the early morning rain, a shorter line than usual waited to purchase pies at the start of the Apple Time Fair.
Rain Saturday morning did not bode well for the success of Cornwall Presbyterian Church’s Appletime Fair and the Village Wide Yard Sale, but by the end of the day, organizers for both events reported positive results.
Rick Hoff, who was in charge of this year’s Appletime Fair, said the morning started without the usual line of people, outside the church’s basement door, waiting to purchase freshly baked apple pies. Hoff said only a few people withstood the rain.
Hoff reported that the precipitation, which was heavy at times, cut into food sales early on, but by the afternoon, all tables were occupied. By 11 a.m. only a light mist fell and by noon it had stopped raining completely. The sun even poked through the clouds a few times.
It remained cool the entire day, but that’s not unusual for the annual event. It helped the church sell chicken and vegetable soup, chili, sausage and peppers, hot dogs, and hot cider and coffee.
By the end of the day all but three of the 300 pies had been sold. The remainder were purchased the following morning by those unable to attend the event.
The church’s attic sale was also a success. The leftover items were donated to the Vietnam Veterans of America.
In total, the event raised $11,000 which will be used to help fund capital projects, as well as pay off the initial cost of the pies, including ingredients and the 21 bushels of apples.
“Big events like this are wonderful for two reasons,” Hoff said. “The first reason, it gives everyone in the church family an opportunity to work together toward a common goal. We have a great time working together, so it’s fun. It makes us stronger as a congregation and a congregational family. The other thing it does is it’s great for the community because it’s a chance for people in the community to see us. It gives us a chance to present our face to them. The interaction was splendid.”
Hoff credited Diane Berkery, the event’s former organizer, for being available to help him, give hints, and just provide back-up if needed.
The rain also brought a slow start to the Village Wide Yard Sale.
Organizer Barbara Gosda said the normal 7/7:30 a.m. crowd looking for the best buys didn’t begin showing up until nearly two hours later.
Gosda said she received a number of calls that morning asking if the sale was still on as scheduled. She assured the concerned parties it was rain or shine.
“Nobody was disappointed,” she said. Some made alternate accommodations by setting up on a covered porch or erecting a canopy.
In total, there were over 100 yard sales. Visitors didn’t seem deterred by the weather. While traffic was light early in the day, it picked up as the rain subsided.