1) The Salt Spring Apple Festival which we organize was a great success this year. We had over 600 apple lovers visiting 15 farms as well as the Fulford Hall. The weather was wonderful. The crop was great. We had a dedicated group of volunteers helping in every way. WHO COULD ASK FOR ANYTHING MORE?

2) The three highlights for me were:
a) a display at Fulford Hall of about 215 apple varieties all grown organically on Salt Spring Island. The display is shown above. At the end of the show, the display was sold to the highest bidder and eventually ended up as a display used for the Celebration of Apples in Victoria two weeks later.

The Apple Display at Fulford Hall

b) having local actor, Vaughn Fulford portray The Ghost of Albert Etter. Albert Etter was the greatest apple breeder that ever existed in North America. He created many red fleshed varieties up in the mountains of Northern California near Garberville, in a place still called Ettersberg. But he got very little recognition. So, we are proud to give him some notariety. He is also a real character and is a perfect fit with Salt Spring where characters are also nurtured. Note the red fleshed apple, Grenadine in his right hand. This speech was historically accurate and probably represented the most recognition Albert Etter received since he died in 1950.

Vaughan Fulford as the Ghost of Albert Etter

c) showing off the Pink Pearmain, one of about 20 varieties of red-fleshed varieties grown on Salt Spring. Note the red juice on the knife.

Pink Pearmain

When the Ghost of Albert Etter was finished, we were treated to a visit from the QUEEN, (Reid Collins), who gave a short humourous speech and then knighted Albert Etter.

3) Fulford Hall was a treasure trove. The walls were decorated with the incredible apple art of Amarah Gabriel and Susan Pratt, plus the Group of Seven style oil painting of my father, Jack Burton. It was candy for the eyes.

4) Fulford Hall also hosted orchard bee (mason bee) expert Rex Welland of Victoria, who is one of the leading researchers in this field.

5) We are delight that Dick Eldridge, the Apple Identification expert from the BC Fruit Testers was there to help everyone figure out what type of apple tree they have growing in their yard. This is one of the hardest jobs in the world.

6) The Salt Spring Island Womens Institute was there serving up about 45 apple pies created using 8 different varieties of apples. A great way to discover your favourite baking apple.

7) Bob and Verna Duncan from Fruit Trees and More brought over some treasures from their nursery, which contains lots of sub tropicals. Bob is also a fruit tree disease expert and brought his display of disease samples.

8) At Apple Luscious Organic Orchard we were delighted to offer apple tasting of over 100 varieties of our apples. Although we grow over 200 varieties of apples, many of our trees are small and not yet producing fruit. We also had self guided orchard tours that were educational and fun.

9) At least 4 farms offered fabulous lunches, mostly focusing on the fine organic food that is produced on Salt Spring. Needless to say, everyone ended up quite full at the end of the day.

10) We were also pleased that 84 year old Naidine Sims spoke at 3 PM about her grandfather and grandmother, her black relatives that were some of the first pioneers to settle on Salt Spring about 1860, and in fact built the house at the location where she speaks.

11) It is always a treat to have the Beddis Castle on the tour and for people to see the manicured lawns and gardens as well as feeling the historical roots dating back to Samuel Beddis about 1884.

12) This year for the first time, the Purdy Inglin farm was host orchard and had also a great slice of the history of Robert Raffles Augustus Purdy dating back to about 1885.

13) Cusheon Cove Farm in addition to showing the apple trees that co-exist with sheep also displayed the Chinese historical artifacts being found on the property, most from the Chinese workers at a lumber mill on the site.

All farms are small and very unique. So the Apple Festival is a celebration of diversity and character.

Proceeds from the Festival go to the following
a) a juicing facility on Salt Spring (not in existence yet, but money being saved for it. A large hydraulic, stainless steel press has been purchased).
b) An annual $500 bursary given in May to someone on Salt Spring, to support practical hands on learning in the field of organic agriculture.
c) Supporting the education of a 3rd world child for one year.
d) Up to $100 going towards thanking in the best possible manner, a Salt Springer who has constantly made Salt Spring a better place to live.

Enjoy,
HB