After that, the professionals brought out the heavy equipment and got to chopping and sawing.

The 15th annual Johnny Appleseed Festival kicked off Friday.

Sandy Setili, one of the founders of the event, welcomed those who were at Memorial Park. “We weren’t here last year, and it was hard on all of us,” Setili said. “We are happy to have you all here. Have a blast.”

Connected with the opening ceremonies was a formal ribbon cutting for the YMCA facility at the Ruth Smith Center.

Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Alex (left) and R.J. Frederick cut the ribbon at a ceremony celebrating the new YMCA facility at the Ruth Smith Center in Sheffield with YMCA Executive Director Thad Turner and Ruth Smith Center Executive Director Kim Adams.

YMCA Executive Director Thad Turner cut the ribbon. “The YMCA in Warren has been changing people’s lives for over 150 years,” he said. “It was always based in Warren. A lot of people from Sheffield would come. A lot of people from Youngsville would come. Now, we have representation in both of those communities.”

“We hope that we are a valuable part of the community for years to come,” Turner said.

“The YMCA motto is about building families,” State Sen. Scott Hutchinson said. The YMCA and the event both work toward that vision.

“There are good, family-friendly activities this weekend here in Sheffield,” Hutchinson said. “It makes our community a better place to live and work and raise our families.”

Breakfast at the concession stand opens at 7:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The professional Lumberjack and Lumberjill competition continues, starting at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The horse pull will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday and the tractor pull at 11 a.m. Sunday.

The Just Having Fun polka band will perform from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Those looking to follow the Johnny Appleseed Wine Trail can head for the fire hall from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

The sawdust pile and fun zone is open from 1 to 3 p.m. each day and 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday.

Apple pie baking is at 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Old Dawg Bluegrass will perform from 4 to 6 p.m. on Saturday.

At 7 p.m. Saturday, Lanterns to Heaven will launch, followed immediately by fireworks.