Apple Fest turnout down slightly; weather phenomenon holds true

BAYFIELD, Wisc. - The 48th Annual Apple Festival of Bayfield is in the books now, with an annual unexplained phenomenon holding true for the final day.

The sounds of marching bands, sirens and applause marks the end of another applicious festival for Bayfield.

Sunday's parade put the wraps on a few days that left festival organizers holding their collective breath.

"It's been a little bit of everything this year," said Kristen Sandstrom of the Bayfield Chamber and Visitors Bureau.

On Monday, coliform bacteria in the city's water forced city staff to issue a boil water order until the water could be cleaned enough to pass safety tests.

"We were all a little nervous about the final water tests coming in on Wednesday and Thursday and turned out to be just fine," said Sandstrom.

"By the time the festival started we had an all clear," added Bayfield Mayor Larry MacDonald.

While the water from the ground did not pose a problem, the water from the sky apparently did.

"Friday, we certainly had some weather challenges," said Sandstrom.  "We did have a couple of vendors to decide to leave early because of the weather."

MacDonald suspects the weather affected how many people came this year.

"Less than average, slightly less," he said of this year's attendance as compared to last year's.

But one thing is for sure—–it did not rain on their parade.

"It doesn't rain on our parade," said MacDonald emphatically.

He was right.  Just as the parade kicked off Sunday, the sun shined through the clouds to allow more than 60 exhibits to make their way through downtown Bayfield.

It's a weather phenomemon it seems no one can explain.

"During the parade, it always seems to clear up just for that time and then again the storms or whatever may come back," said Marcia Stancer of Waupan, Wisc.

And with all the water woes this week, one exhibitor had fun with another form of water.  They dumped ice at the foot of people along the parade route, calling it the first snow of the year.

Then, after the Mass Band finished up, music still rang out through the streets, courtesy of Big Top Chautauqua.

All in all, organizers say the 12 orchards at the festival were thrilled with their sales.  Apple brats were the hot seller and the spicy weather gave way to what the festival is all about.

"It really represents the love of the land and the love of each other," said Sen. Bob Jauch of Poplar.

"I Love apples and the ones up here are delicious," said Stancer.

Those who missed the Apple Festival can still visit the 12 orchards for "pick–your–own" or "ready–picked" apples through the end of October.  For a complete list of them, including their locations and contact information, go to www.bayfield.org.