The Filberg Heritage Lodge and Park Association (FHLPA) is hosting an Apple Press Party on Oct. 6 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the upper meadow and arbour area of Filberg Park in Comox.
There will be freshly pressed apple juice for sale, an all-things-apple bake sale, a specialty plant sale, master gardeners will be on-hand to answer any plant-related questions, and you can watch the state-of-the-art Pressing Matter apple press in action.
The FHLPA is asking the community to donate their extra apples and hard pears to help us raise much-needed funds for lodge restoration through apple juice sales. If you have trees that are heaving with apples and hard pears and more fruit than you know what to do with, have a picking party and register your pick with the lodge by e-mail to info@filberg.com or call 250-339-2715.
By picking and delivering your fruit bounty to the park Oct. 4 and 5, you will be entered to win two tickets to Tria Catering’s Full Moon Feast.
Do you have too many trees to pick or can’t pick the trees yourself? Contact LUSH Valley Fruit Tree Project at www.lushvalley.org to arrange volunteer pickers. Specify that one-third of the fruit goes to the Filberg Park.
LUSH Valley is a community, grass-roots charitable organization focusing on food security. Their fruit tree project is a great success with over 6,900 pounds of fruit picked in 2012.
LUSH Valley is helping Filberg volunteers harvest the many heritage fruit trees in the park. In 2012 over 800 pounds of apples and pears were picked and juiced from the park.
Pressing Matter is a very modern and efficient apple press. It takes the fruit, presses every millilitre of juice out of the fruit, pasteurizes and puts the juice in five-litre bags, which are then boxed.
The end product is potent and delicious juice that stores for up to one year. Visit www.pressingmatter.ca for more information.
The Apple Press Party is on Oct. 6 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Filberg Park.
For more information and to register, contact info@filberg.com or call 250-339-2715.
— Filberg Heritage Lodge and Park Association