The apples are ripe in Sooke.
To celebrate, Sooke Region Food CHI Society host the second annual Apple Fest this Sunday (Sept. 27) at Sunriver Community Gardens.
The event will be part celebration, part education about apples, said organizer Phoebe Dunbar.
“It’s a harvest celebration,” said Dunbar. “It’s a celebration of the orchard.”
The day-long event will include apple tastings, workshops, apple goodies, music, art, the sale of apples (of course), trees, pie auction and vendors.
Sunriver Community Gardens started its orchard in 2011 when a Sooke resident donated several trees. Four years later the orchard has produced a bounty crop of more than 15 variety of apples.
This crop will be sold at Apple fest and some fruit will be donated to the local food bank and crisis centre.
Horticulturist Glen Thelin, who volunteers at the orchard, said the goal of the festival is to sustain the orchard with the purchase of posts, wire and deer fencing.
“We need to protect [the orchard], look after it and sustain it,” Thelin said. “The success of this orchard means everyone is going to benefit.”
Apple Fest takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. The Sunriver Community Garden is located at 2380 Phillips Rd.