Brian Minter: Anticipation is high for the return of UBC Apple Festival

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It’s again. And that’s nice information. The UBC Apple Pageant, a Vancouver custom for the previous 31 years, was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 because of the challenges of COVID-19 however returns this fall.

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Based on Pam Sinclair, a longtime member and spokesperson for the Mates of the Backyard (FOGs), as much as 20,000 folks traditionally attend this two-day occasion that options many apple-related actions. From discovering and buying each new and heritage B.C.-grown apple varieties and sampling over 100 totally different apple sorts within the Tasting Tent to having fun with apple desserts and drinks, in addition to taking in leisure and going for backyard walks, there’s something for everybody.

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Choosing up a brand new apple tree within the botanical backyard store to take dwelling and plant will also be a part of the enjoyable and is likely one of the greatest souvenirs I can consider.

I had the chance to talk with Katie Teed, Senior Supervisor, Advertising and marketing and Communications on the UBC Botanical Backyard in regards to the expectations of this 12 months’s pageant. Teed is thrilled to have this vital B.C. occasion again, and she or he can be very grateful for the FOGs members who originated and have orchestrated this pageant annually. The preliminary imaginative and prescient was to showcase the range of the apples grown in B.C. It is a crucial fundraiser for the UBC Botanical Backyard.

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This 12 months’s Apple Pageant takes place on Oct. 15 and 16 and, as Teed identified, it’s so far more than a novelty apple occasion. She defined how vital it’s for city households and people to expertise the UBC Botanical Backyard, particularly the Forest Stroll. The Pageant admission consists of entry to the UBC Botanical Backyard, which is sort of stunning presently of the 12 months. Tickets for the Tasting Tent value an additional $7 and are issued for timed entry.

The backyard store is all the time a enjoyable place to go to. It sells not solely distinctive crops, together with plenty of hard-to-find types of apple bushes, but additionally, for this occasion, many apple-related novelty kitchen and backyard provides.

The leisure for the 2 days is household centered, and the organizers had been simply finalizing the main points when Teed and I spoke. One of many actually enjoyable occasions for youths is the large leaf pile — a group of fallen leaves gathered from all the numerous bushes within the gardens. Youngsters get to run by, soar, scatter and throw leaves within the air — as Teed factors out, one among nature’s greatest leisure values, and also you don’t must do the raking.

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Meals vehicles might be that includes apple-related meals and treats. One of many favourites is a slice of apple pie and on closing day, complete pies might be bought. Apple drinks might be obtainable, together with some spiced up, non-alcoholic apple ciders.

For anybody who has an apple tree at dwelling, however they don’t seem to be certain of the range, Teed suggests bringing a pattern to have it recognized by Grasp Gardeners and some native apple growers who might be volunteering to share their data.

The Tasting Tent may be very well-liked. You’ll have a possibility to pattern apple slices from over 40 varieties to get a way of the flavours and textures of some very totally different apples. The Tasting Tent is open from 11 a.m. to three:30 p.m. each days.

A substantial amount of credit score for this Pageant should go to the FOGs. Sinclair reminisced in regards to the lengthy historical past of this well-liked occasion. She stated preparations for the Pageant start virtually a 12 months prematurely by enlisting B.C. growers to produce the numerous totally different apple varieties wanted. A major problem right this moment is the dwindling variety of smaller, family-run apple farms and the retirement of many older growers. It’s turning into far more troublesome to search out heritage apples as a result of right this moment’s bigger scale growers are specializing in larger volumes of fewer varieties.

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Climate, too, is all the time a priority. This 12 months, native Fraser Valley growers confronted a protracted, moist, chilly spring, which may adversely have an effect on pollination and subsequently, the portions of mature fruits. Add to that, the logistics of getting so many sorts from so many alternative sources to reach at a really particular time after which preserving them recent and engaging — nicely, it’s not laborious to think about the challenges concerned.

Labelling the numerous totally different varieties and readying them on the market is one other mammoth process that falls to the superb FOGs volunteers, who’re the center and soul of this occasion.

I requested Sinclair what she likes most in regards to the Pageant, and she or he replied, “The magic of the day. So many households popping out to the attractive gardens, little youngsters dancing to the musical leisure and people merely having fun with the day.”

Please be aware: There isn’t any parking on the gardens throughout this occasion, so plan accordingly. There are parkades shut by with shuttle buses.

All particulars of this occasion, together with learn how to buy tickets and learn how to volunteer, might be discovered on-line at applefestival.ca.