The Peru Gazette

By Donald McBrayer

The 33rd Annual St. Augustine’s Applefest in Peru, NY was a great success.  and I wish to offer many thanks to all the people that made it possible: There are so many people to thank I could fill several pages and still miss some, but here’s my attempt to touch the tip of the iceberg. (Click here for photos)

To Al Dixon and all the Knights of Columbus Council 7273 who helped with the setup, teardown, Bar-B-Que, and many of the activities.
To Christa Reyell and the Catholic Daughters Court 2598 for the baked goods, and all the help with the food, and many of the festivities.
To the great staff of St. Augustine’s: Deb, Peggy, Rebecca, Mark, & Mike, for too many things to name.
To Retired Town Justice Pete Keenan – Grand Marshall in our parade, and conductor of the KofC Chicken Bar-B-Q.
To Anne and Norm Torrance for so many things involving the food I couldn’t possibly list them all.
To Patty Henry and her family for all the help at the food booths.
To John Theisen for the Popcorn, Cotton Candy and his expertise with electricity and hanging banners.
To Gary Liberty and Pfizer for setting us up with the refrigeration truck.
To Dave & Taunya LaForest and their family for the entire game booth help.
To Tim’s Tunes, Denim, Back Porch Band, The Bright Brothers, and Bootleg for the fantastic music.
To Kevin & Sarah Soucia of Signs Now for constructing and donating the new road banner and craft fair signs.
To the Town of Peru for use of the town hall parking lot, and sign promotion.
To the Peru Volunteer Fire Department for the sign promotion.
To Ernie Guerin who provided the pony rides.
To Penelope the Clown for the fantastic activities for the young ones.
To Bill McBride Chevrolet for use of the convertible.
To Curtis Lumber for the donated building materials.
To Sam’s Club for all the help with the food purchase.
To the many Peru Apple Orchards who donated apples.
To the local radio, TV, and news papers that promoted the Applefest.
To the wonderful people who entered our parade. It was the best one yet.
To the many crafters that setup shop selling a huge variety of unique items.
To the dozens of volunteers who helped all weekend long inside and out.
To The Applefest Committee who’s input, hard work and unending dedication made the 2010 Applefest the success it was: Trudy Snyder, Bonnie Saltus, Scarlet McBride, Sandi Andrews, Dee Jenkins, Mike Lawliss, Dwane Bast, Kara McBrayer, and Mary Nisoff.
To Father Alan Shnob who’s spiritual guidance kept us working as a team through thick and thin.
And finally to the hundreds from our community who stopped by, enjoyed a fritter, and spent a bit of a perfectly sunny weekend with us at the Applefest.

We’ll see you next year,
Don McBrayer
Event Coordinator & Chair of the Applefest Committee