Published: October 06, 2008 12:25 am      

APPLE FEST: Additions include more contests and attractions.

The Niagara Apple Fest made its return over the weekend with a little more to offer.

After a four year hiatus, the annual event was brought back last year by Richard Hoose. Held at the Niagara County Fairgrounds, this year’s event featured some new additions, including the expansion of the New York state certified farmers market, the entertainment, the crafter and exhibitor area, the food vendors and the “apple jam kidz” area featuring attractions for kids.

Town of Lockport residents Donald and Esther Stellrecht said they enjoyed the festival this year, especially the hot vegetables and the apple wraps offered by Boy Scout Troop 98.

“We’re glad its back,” Donald said. “We used to come years ago.”

Other events included an indoor and outdoor country crafts show, pony rides, a rock climbing wall, a petting zoo and hay rides. Saturday NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt’s Chevy stock car was on display. High schoolers had the chance to participate in the “Bring It: Biggest Pie-Hole” competition on Sunday, which was also when Highland Games were held.

There was also a crate of free apples for those in attendance, as well as a booth in the displaying a number of different varieties of apples.

There were plenty of vendors available at Apple Fest. Lots of people came by the booth of Apple Fest first timer Dave Robb, also known as “the bottle guy.” Robb was showing off his “stretch bottle art,” where the neck of the bottle is stretched and then decorated centering around a theme. Robb, an Akron native, created the art medium five years ago, and has been invited to art shows all over the country.

“It’s something no one has done,” Robb said. “The sports ones seem to be pretty popular.”

Robb said he has the stretch bottle idea trademarked, and the pieces were originally just the stretched bottle. Robb decided to give each piece a theme, such as golf, playing cards or the Buffalo Sabres, in order to entice people to buy them.

“And they’re also getting a piece of art that will increase in value over the years,” Robb said.

Judy Dier and her husband, both of Wilson, had a booth in the Merchants Building on the Niagara County Fairgrounds. Dier’s booth featured woodcrafts, hand knitted items, jewelry and knives. The Diers have a business, Dier’s Lodge, that sells the items. Judy Dier said she thought the weather may have helped with attendance.

“It’s warmer today,” she said. “We were here last year, but it seems bigger this year.”

Judy does the knitting and her husband does the cutting for the wood. He was also doing a little Christmas shopping while Judy watched the booth.

“You can find some good gifts here,” she said.