Visit Joanna Furnace Iron Works, near Morgantown, and the Hay Creek Apple Festival October 13 and 14. The Hay Creek Historians will once again tempt your taste buds at one of the most family-friendly festivals in southeastern Pennsylvania.The traditional fall apple harvest is firmly rooted within our local rural heritage and culture. The aroma of fresh apples in the cool autumn air brings back pleasant recollections to adults and creates distinct memories for our children. For over 30 years, parents have made this event a family tradition. Today’s parents who came to the event as kids are now returning with grandparents and their own children.The Hay Creek Historical Association Volunteers strive to create a unique kind of event where visitors savor homemade apple fare, experience fun for the entire family and become engaged in the historic iron furnace complex. This is an event where every family member has the opportunity to enjoy themselves and each other.
THIS EVENT, CREATED BY APPLE FOODS! Visitors arrive early and start the day with the renowned Hay Creek all-you-can-eat apple pancake breakfast, served from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. both days. Then throughout each day, every imaginable traditional apple food is available . . . from freshly pressed cider to fritters, pies, tarts, dumplings and so much more. The 19th century Joanna Furnace apple cider press will be operating throughout each day with continuous demonstrations. Experience freshly pressed Hay Creek Cider by the cup or by the gallon to take home.The menu includes the uniting of traditional early American dishes with such additional favorites as apple dumplings, apple pies, apple crisp, homemade caramel apples with various toppings, apple sausage sandwiches, apple fritters, hot mulled cider and the freshly pressed cider. Another local traditional receipe, Schnitz un Knepp (apples, dumplings, and ham) is always a special treat.And not to be missed is Mabel’s Iron-Kettle Soups, cooked to perfection over actual open fires. (Chicken Corn, Beef Vegetable, Ham & bean with rivels). Mabel’s Iron-Kettle Soups recipes can be traced back to the meals served to 19th-century furnace workers’ families. These signature soups are also available by the quart for taking home and can be frozen to be enjoyed later.The menu gets even wider . . . chicken pot pie (also available by the quart for taking home), pulled pork sandwiches, hamburgers, hot dogs, French fries, soda, water and coffee plus additional festive foods and beverages are always available.Many visitors make a point of purchasing our soups, pot pie and apple baked dessert goods to take home and freeze in preparation for entertaining and holiday meals.
NEW THIS YEAR, FRIDAY AFTERNOON, BULK APPLE FOOD PICK UP TO TAKE HOME Due to popular demand, on Friday, October 12 from noon to 5:00 pm only, individuals, businesses and families will be able to stop by and pick up bulk amounts of apple pies, apple dumplings and apple crisp. These Hay Creek baked delicacies will be frozen and packaged in aluminum containers ready for you to take home and heat & eat.Please note, the full event is not open on Friday. However, the site is open Friday from noon to 5 for drive-in bulk foods purchase and pick up.OUR LARGEST CRAFT AND FLEA MARKET EVER.The Annual Hay Creek Flea Market will be open both days. For anyone wishing to have a flea market/ craft stand, the cost for set-up is $20 for members and $30 for non-members. Spaces are filling up rapidly, so anyone interested in a flea market or craft stand should call Kathleen at 610-914-8152 for details.
FAMILY CENTERED ACTIVITIES Numerous engaging family activities are woven throughout this two-day festival. These family activities include scarecrow building, pumpkin painting, face painting, early American games, plus hay and pony rides and more.The children will especially love to ride on the popular Apple Barrel Express.Build a Friend Scarecrows can be created on-site or visitors can purchase ‘scarecrow kits’ to build their friend at home. Each scarecrow kit includes a wooden "t" frame, pants, shirt, head, string and accessories. As each scarecrow will have its own personality, each kit will contain different details including such unique things as bandana or belt, hat, tie, etc. and a small amount of straw to stick out of the hands and feet. Homebuilders can use their newspaper to stuff their scarecrow.Other engaging kids’ activities include a petting zoo, pony rides, pumpkin painting and a hands-on archaeology adventure plus exhibits in the Mechanical Technology Building.Five Joanna Furnace Ironworks Historic Complex Buildings will be open with garbed interpreters telling the full historical story of the 19th-century ironworks and village. The Blacksmith Shop complete with the working blacksmith; The Blowing Engine House with a 22-minute video showing the Joanna Furnace story; The Casting House with moulders and workers demonstrating the casting process; The Office/Store with the Storekeeper; and the Charcoal House Museum with interpreters showing the process of charcoal making, actual Joanna Furnace stoves and products and recovered archaeological artifacts. While in the historic area, learn about the major bosh stabilization project which will begin by the end of the month and ask about the restoration project soon to get underway in restoring the iron works wheelwright shop.The Hay Creek Apple Festival at Joanna Furnace Iron Works will be held on Saturday, October 13—7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, October 14, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Historic Joanna Furnace Ironworks is located off Route 10; three miles north of Morgantown . . . Turn onto Furnace Road and proceed to site entrance.Admission to the Hay Creek Apple Festival is FREE. Parking is on site with a donation. All proceeds from Hay Creek events support educational and restoration projects – through the Hay Creek Valley Historical Association and this significant 18th and 19th historic site, Joanna Furnace Ironworks. For more information, visit www.haycreek.org. or call 610-286-0388.