Friends of Pipers Orchard

Friends of Piper’s Orchard, City Fruit, and Seattle Tree Fruit Society held the 4th annual Festival of Fruit on Saturday, September 18th, from 10:00am – 2:00pm. It was a big success, with great pies, fresh-pressed cider, information, visitors, and cooperating weather.

The program started with Dr. Bob Norton (a reknowned western Washington apple expert) giving a talk on making hard (and soft) apple cider.

Dr. Bob Norton discusses making cider.

 Meanwhile, apple tasting and cider pressing were going on outside.

The MacLeans provide orchard apples for sampling

Will Morgan feeds the cider press while others examine the output

Kids enjoyed coloring fruit and planting it on the tree

 We also enjoyed listening to Blue Star Creeper.

Blue Star Creeper

Following Dr. Norton’s talk, the pie judging started, and we were introduced to Ken Workman, who is a descendant of both Jessie Hiatt (an Iowan who was the originator of the Hawkeye apple, renamed Delicious) and Chief Seattle.

Ken Workman got Chief Seattle's cheek bones

Next, it was time to announce the results of the pie judging contest. The jury awarded all pies a ribbon, and selected 3 favorites. People lined up to get their pick from Tillie’s Cafe.

After all the pie was gone, people headed up to the orchard to hear presentations about Piper family and orchard history, viticulture and the heirloom grapes planted at the orchard, organic pest management, compost tea at the orchard, and permaculture at the orchard.

Fran Clifton shares Piper family and orchard history.

Andy Zaborski describes what grapes have been planted

We were fortunate to have a group of Boy Scouts help with parking and directions. 

Security staff

Following was the day’s program.