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.

Celebrate the 3^rd annual Piper’s Orchard Festival of Fruit by joining activities including:

• apple variety tasting
• cider pressing and tasting
• apple pie contest (at noon)
• apple pies and other treats for sale
• presentations on tree selection, pruning, viti-culture, pest management, bee keeping, etc.
• booths from other Western Washington fruit organizations
• fun for children
• visit the orchard

We’re honored to have Dr. Bob Norton, who started a western Washington tree fruit research facility in Mt. Vernon (still active) through WSU many years ago, as one of our presenters.  He will also lead a walk to the orchard. The festival will be held at the Carkeek Park Environmental Learning Center, as well as the Lower Meadow and the orchard. Parking is available at the Lower Meadow, where some activities will be held.

Date and time: Saturday 9/19, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

The schedule for the various locations is as follows:

Environmental Learning Center

• 11:00               Doors open
• 11:10               Welcome
• 11:30 – 12:00  “Growing Good Grapes” – Andy Zebrowski
• 12:00               Pie judging contest
• 12:30               Winners announced
• 12:30 – 1:00    “Non-toxic Fruit Tree Pest Control” – Don Ricks
• 1:00 – 2:00      “Summer Fruit Tree Pruning & Espalier” – David Conners
• 2:00 – 3:00      “Fruit Varieties, Old & New” – Dr. Bob Norton
• Cider pressing
• Children’s crafts 11:00 – 2:00
• Booths and information on orchard history, viti-culture, grafting, beekeeping, pest control, pruning, apple variety identification
• Café opens 11:10 – coffee, pies, hot dogs for sale, cider for sale starting at noon

Lower Meadow

• Cider pressing
• Apple variety tasting
• Music
• Parking available, with shuttle continuously running between meadow and ELC

Orchard

• Friends of Piper’s Orchard will be in the orchard to answer any questions 11:00 – 3:00
• Apple tree variety information
• Apple variety tasting
• 3:00 – Walk to orchard led by Dr. Bob Norton

For more information,  call (206) 684-0877.

Catch the Metro #28 to NW 100^th Place behind QFC and walk a mile to the Carkeek Park Environmental Learning Center from the McAbee entrance.

All ages welcome.

No charge.