Brisk winds, riotous foliage and ripe apples can only mean one thing in Warren County; fall is here and in Sheffield that means it's Johnny Appleseed Festival time.
The annual event will be held at Memorial Park in Sheffield for the seventh time this weekend kicking-off with an opening ceremony at 1 p.m. on Friday.
The event is named for legendary folk hero John "Johnny Appleseed" Chapman. Chapman was born in Massachusetts in Sept. of 1774, but gained fame traveling the early American frontier planting apple trees.
In 1797, Chapman first appears in records in Northwestern Pennsylvania, and he planted what is believed to be his first nursery on the banks of Brokenstraw Creek in what would later become Warren County.
The festival bearing his name is more than just a celebration of Chapman's though. The festival website describes the event as a celebration of the region's logging boom era and features a mix of events both modern and reminiscent of the days when Warren County stood on the American frontier.
Vendor booths will open at noon on Friday in anticipation of the festival opening ceremony.
Friday is being billed as "Old fashioned Friday Night".
At approximately 3 p.m. the games begin with sack races, a sawdust pile and other events. Live music will be be featured from 2 until 5 p.m.
At 5 p.m., the event's first annual "corn hole" tournament will begin. Teams must be registered prior to 5 p.m.
At 7 p.m., a flag burning ceremony will be held.
Events start early on Saturday.
Vendors open at 9 a.m. and antique appraisal will be available between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Also starting at 9 a.m., a new event will kick-off, the First Annual Adam's Apple5k Fun Run will start, and end, at the First United Methodist Church on West Main Street. Awards will be given to the top three male and female runners in 11 and under, 12 to 16, 17 to 25, 26 to 45 and 46 and up divisions and to the top three male and female runners overall. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. The event benefits the SUMC Youth Group and is being held in memory of Pastor Ralph Romine.
At 10:30 a.m., the Professional Lumberjack and Lumberjill Competition begins. The event will feature competition from Stihl Series athletes and host the largest Lumberjill Division event in the country.
If you decide upon leaving all the cleaving or if sawing just leaves you yawning, heavy and light horse pulls begin at 11 a.m.
The "Groundhog Wine Trail" will be held in the Sheffield Fire Hall from 1 until 6 p.m.
At 3 p.m., the apple pie contest judging will be held at the park.
Antique cars and tractors will be on display as well.
The Just Having Fun Polka Band will perform at the park from 1 until 3 p.m. while Rick Rawson will entertain at the fire hall during the wine trail. From 5 until 7 p.m., the Old Dawg Bluegrass Band will perform.
At 7 p.m., a "Lanterns to Heaven" event will be held. Lanterns in memory of loved ones will be released.
At approximately 7:30 p.m., a fireworks display will begin.
On Sunday the professional lumberjack events continue beginning at 10:30 a.m. Competitors will vie for the U.S. Springboard Title during the event.
At 11 p.m., an antique tractor pull will be held.
From 1 until 3 p.m. Earth Angel will perform.
Breakfast will be offered from 7 until 9:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at the park concession stand. The Sheffield rotary club will prepare the food. A fee is being charged for the meal.