Monday, October 3, 2011

Old Apple Tree Festival

Each year on the first Saturday of October, we have a celebration of our OLD APPLE TREE which was 185 years old this year.



 All the apples have been harvested and plant growths have been taken from the tree to give away to people at the festival who want to plant an apple tree in their yard.  I live in a 9 story apartment building so could not take one. .(That is the freeway behind it and on the other side you can't see are the railroad tracks.  The OLD APPLE TREE park is located between the freeway and tracks in a little park.


 The old apple tree lost a limb recently and a gardener is trying to "fill the hollow space" with new growth planted in the hole. . .What they won't do to save a part of history!  We don't want to lose this part of our history.  ALSO, over the years , many new plantings from the tree have kept the history alive in various yards in Vancouver.  A tree on the side of the museum on Main St has such a growth from this tree and it has blossomed into a tall, beautiful tree.  Somewhere I have a photo of that tree but will have to look for it or take a new one to show you later.

They had all kinds of things to inform us and entertain us.  I came home with a bag of apples and lots of photos and tired feet!
Since it was the pioneers who planted our first apple tree in the Northwest, we had a covered wagon to inspect. . . 


 


And there was entertainment by "Another Shade of Bluegrass" which we really enjoyed as my apartment building have them come and perform each month so we knew the group singing and playing.

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THIS YEAR, they had the first SCARECROW contest at the festival. . . I think the entries were superb!  Here they are. . .


 
I guess I didn't take an individual photo of the one on the right. . . 
 
and the left here. . . 

 

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Did you  notice these peacock feathers on the scarecrows above?  I found them a delight!

Hope you enjoyed our Apple Tree Festival!  Sorry, but I have searched and can't find who won the scarecrow contest.  I thought they all were superb!
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12 comments:

  1. BarbOctober 3, 2011 at 4:33 PM

    Oh - Paulie, I'm definitely the happy scarecrow with peacock feathers! What a grand old tree - I'm glad they're giving out cuttings and also trying to preserve the tree. Happy you could attend such a great festival! Wish I could have been there.

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  2. malyssOctober 3, 2011 at 11:45 PM

    This small tree must have seen so much things during its long life! I like the pioneers wagon, I like to imagine what life could be to travel and live in there! and the scarecrows are really creative and funny. A great and rich post today, Paulie!

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  3. SandyCarlsonOctober 5, 2011 at 6:45 PM

    What a fun place, and what a fun you. Those scarecrows are a hoot and a holler....

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  4. ViolaOctober 6, 2011 at 4:25 PM

    Congratulations appletree with your birthday! ;) I nearly cannot imagine the tree is that old, wow! =) And great fun to see the scarecrows, haha! The wagon..reminds me about old western films used to be shown on the friday nights on the TV many years ago..

    Such beautiful shots Paulie! :)

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  5. Rune EideOctober 7, 2011 at 6:24 AM

    Old trees acquires a certain air of quiet wisdom and grace. Take good care of it!

    PS Last year I "visited" what is supposed to be the oldest olive tree in the world (in Greece) - 4000 years! A bit hollowed out and frail, but still bearing fruit.

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  6. EG CameraGirlOctober 7, 2011 at 7:28 AM

    I had no idea an apple tree could live that long! It deserves to be celebrated!

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  7. EOctober 15, 2011 at 4:56 AM

    Wow--I love that festival. The scarecrows are adorable! Thanks for sharing.

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  8. Gypsy LalaOctober 15, 2011 at 8:06 PM

    Old apple tree! It is so interesting, I love the covered wagon too, and your lovely scarecrow photos.

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  9. Martha ZOctober 15, 2011 at 9:19 PM

    It looks like a fun event and a way to celebrate a bit of history as well. I'm amazed that the tree keeps going but I know apple trees can be long lived.

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  10. AnonymousNovember 10, 2011 at 6:19 AM

    I really enjoyed seeing the scarecrows and the last one is my favorite. He just looks mischievous, doesn't he...but where are the apples?
    Mama Bear

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  11. GrokstarMarch 30, 2012 at 8:36 AM

    Hi Paulie,
    Mari from "Another Shade of Bluegrass" here.
    I was just searching for some information about our band and your blog came up. I was delighted to see the pic of our band. ( I'm the one in the red skirt.) I enjoyed all your pics and read several of your posts. Nice work.
    We will be playing at the downtown farmers market sometime in August, and are still doing our Thursday rounds of the senior living places. Come and introduce yourself to me next time.
    Keep up the good work.

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  12. GrokstarMarch 30, 2012 at 8:41 AM

    Hi Paulie,
    Mari from "Another Shade of Bluegrass here."
    I was searching for some information about our band and was delighted to find your pic and article here. (I'm the one in the red skirt.) Keep up the good work. I stayed to read several of your posts.
    We will be playing at the downtown Farmers Market sometime in August and are still doing our Thursday nights at various senior living places. Come up and introduce yourself to me next time we play at your place.
    Keep up the good work.
    Mari

    ReplyDelete

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