Olympic Peninsula Apple & Cider Festival on October 13-15

Celebrate The Season, Taste The Region – October 13-15, 2017

This October, celebrate the season of the apple, Washington State’s prolific harvest, with a culinary escape to the Olympic Peninsula Apple & Cider Festival, October 13-15, 2017. Hosted by East-Jefferson County cider makers, this three-day event features a Firestarter 5-course feast from beloved Chef Deborah Taylor (formerly executive sous chef at Canlis), a robust farmer’s market, hard cider tastings, an all ages World Apple Day celebration at Finnriver Cidery, educational seminars including a Home Brew Q&A, and much more. Events take place on the North Eastern tip of the Olympic Peninsula in East-Jefferson County – single event or full weekend access tickets may be purchased now at AppleandCiderFest.com.

Apples and cider have played an important role in Northwest culture since the earliest settlers arrived in the area. The Olympic Peninsula is no exception, with apple orchards dating back to the late 1800’s. In recent years, the cider revival has caught fire and communities throughout the United States have realized their love for the delicious and complex flavors of cider as well as the magnificent and diverse varieties of apples available. The 1st annual Olympic Peninsula Apple And Cider Festival celebrates the traditions and culture of growing apples and brewing cider with a jam-packed weekend of programming at Olympic Peninsula cideries, breweries, and venues

“Inspired in part by the Franklin Cider Days on the east coast, this Festival is a new Northwest tradition, grounded in the flavor of the season and the culture of the region,” Daniel Milholland, festival coordinator comments. “Rugged, classy, and delicious. The weekend festivities are centered around Saturday’s Tasting Festival, which features a spread of Northwest Cideries and special guest producers presenting, traditional and innovative ciders.”

Guests of the Festival will enjoy live music, apple tastings and pairings, cider pressing and a lively atmosphere of networking and celebration. Weekend highlights certainly include the highly anticipated Festival-opening 5-course feast with seasonal foods and delicious ciders prepared by former Canlis Chef Deborah Taylor. Her menu features porchetta stuffed with rosemary and garlic, served with braised apples and kale in a yellow mustard seed jus, paired with Alpenfire’s Glow Rosé cider.

Friday, October 13

• The Firestarter, A Cider Feast
• A 5-course dinner with seasonal foods and delicious ciders.
• at Finistere, uptown Port Townsend
• 6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

• Port Townsend Farmers Market
• 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
• Hard Cider Tasting Festival
• Featuring 40+ varieties of cider, cider pressing, music, food, and fun.
• at The Palindrome, Eaglemount Wine and Cidery (After Party at Propolis Brewing with food trucks, fire show, and dance party)
• 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. and on

• Open houses at participating cideries, distilleries, and tap-rooms
• Hours vary throughout the day