Family fun in store at festival

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Apple pie and artists, games and great grub, music, marching and merriment.

That’s just a sample of what’s in store for those visiting the North Central Chamber of Commerce’s 27th Apple Festival, which opens Saturday morning inside Johnston War Memorial Park and continues through Sunday.

“Everyone is excited,” said Deborah Ramos, executive director of the Chamber. “People have been saying this may be one of our best Apple Festivals ever.”

Take, for example, the first of a dozen different entertainers who’ll perform on the pristine park’s main stage during the 16-hour festival.

The highly acclaimed and well-traveled U.S. Navy Northeast Show Band will kick off the two-day entertainment schedule Saturday at 11:30 a.m. once the always-colorful opening parade and ceremonies conclude.

“I can’t tell you how happy I am to have this great band coming to the Apple Festival,” Ramos said in an enthusiastic tone of voice. “People have been telling us that the Navy Northeast Show Band is special – and spectacular – and that people will really appreciate their music.”

Ramos announced that the Navy Northeast Show Band will play “everything from contemporary music to jazz” beginning at 11:30 a.m. and running until 12:30 p.m., which is just 30 minutes shy of the annual and always exciting apple pie baking contest.

The contest – which will be conducted and sponsored by overall event sponsor Washington Trust Company – has not one but three celebrity judges.

Mario Hilario, NBC 10’s Saturday morning new anchor, will join

Will Gilbert, co-host of WPRI 12’s “Rhode Show,” famed chef Frank Terranova and Johnson & Wales University pastry chef Mitch Stamm in judging this year’s contest, which is open only to amateur cooks.

People can enter the competition up until 12:30 p.m., and there’s a $5 entry fee per pie.

“Now that’s cookin’ with class,” Ramos said in a nod to Terranova’s famous line and the title of his NBC 10 television show. “They will all make the contest fun for the people who enter, as well as the crowd that always gathers to watch and find out who the winner is.”

Even Saturday’s opening ceremony and parade promises to be one of the largest ever.

The “Pride of Pantherland” – a.k.a. the Johnston High School Marching Band – will lead this year’s parade, which Ramos said will step off promptly at 11 a.m. The Johnston High Chorus, which came in for national honors last year during a performance in Virginia, will also march in the parade.

Ramos is expecting a large group of town officials headed by Mayor Joseph Polisena and other Johnstonians who are serving as elected state officers.

“We also invited the vendors to participate in the parade,” Ramos said, adding that all marchers will make one loop around Johnston War Memorial Park. “And we’ll have the Apple Festival Committee marching as well.”

Ramos, who is pleased to have upwards of 100 vendors for this year’s Apple Festival, noted that the event will be held rain or shine.

This year’s Apple Fest will have a record 39 arts and crafts vendors, 20 wellness and health vendors and 13 non-profits that will set up displays all around the track inside Johnston War Memorial Park.

“We’ve got every type of business imaginable,” Ramos said. “There’s photography, candles, jewelry of all kinds, hair accessories, handmade sewn items, blankets, cup cakes, chocolate and cookies and even flu shots.”

This year’s free Kids’ Zone will feature a new twist, courtesy of sponsor The Children’s Workshop of Smithfield.

“That’s always a great visit,” Ramos said of the Kids’ Zone. “They’ll have all kinds of free activities.”

Among them will be the Bubble Man “Bubble Party” that will take place Saturday from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m.

One of the Apple Festival’s highlights each and every year – as far as children are concerned – is Okee’s Old-Time Family Fun, which features a motor-driven engine and trailing cars that will be operating throughout the two-day event.

The ever-popular dunk tank, courtesy of the Johnston High School girls’ volleyball team, returns for people who’d like to see their “favorite” person dropped into a tub of cold water.

There’s also a great line-up of entertainment both days.

Saturday includes Rising, featuring folk, pop and classic rock, and family comedy for all by Mike Murray and Friends. Dirk Van Pelt, father Erica Van Pelt, will play artistic rock, and the award-winning High Steppin’ Dance Academy will perform hip-hop, Zumba and more.

Saturday’s entertainment schedule will conclude with Michael Pannarello doing a tribe to legendary Four Seasons lead singer Frankie Valli.

Sunday, there will be more music and entertainment highlighted by a special performance by J-DAPA (Johnston Dance and Performing Arts).

“We have something for everyone,” Ramos concluded. “There’s food and some good old-fashioned family fun in store for anyone who visits this year’s Apple Festival. The best thing, though, is that there’s no admission. Just come to the park and enjoy the day.”

This year’s Apple Festival will also include a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday. Ramos said the Rhode Island Blood Center will bring its mobile testing unit to the park.

While the Washington Trust Company is the main sponsor for this year’s festival, the Chamber has received like support from Stop & Shop, Cherry Hill Manor, AAA of Southeastern New England, Funny4Funds, Domenic Floor Covering, Dame Farm & Orchard, Pop ‘N Bop Bubble Bags, PMA and Tri-Town Community Action.

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