The apples may be at the heart of Applefest, but on Saturday it was the people, the community and the sheer size of the celebration that stole the show.
Brighton’s 52nd Applefest brought thousands of people into the community for a weekend celebration of agriculture, local businesses, food, music, family and everything that makes the community unique.
With nearly 250 vendors, almost 300 cars in the car show and a free Children’s Village, Mayor Brian Ostrander said the annual festival continues to grow — and continues to get better.
“52 years of Applefest. And it just keeps getting better,” Ostrander told the crowd.
He credited the Applefest Committee and the hundreds of people who work behind the scenes to make the massive event possible.
“This is truly a good day,” Ostrander said.
The mayor estimated that Applefest Saturday effectively doubles Brighton’s population, with between 10,000 and 12,000 people expected to visit the community throughout the three day festival.
“Everybody’s smiling, amazing food. It’s just a great day,” he said.
And for visitors seeing Applefest for the first time, the scale of the festival was impossible to miss.
Walking along County Road 2, the crowds stretched through the downtown, with vendors, food, entertainment and activities filling the streets.
Ostrander said the festival has deliberately focused on supporting local and regional businesses.
“The last few years we’ve made sure it’s local,” he explained. “So mostly vendors from Prince Edward County, Northumberland County and Hastings County are here, and then from further afield to fill any gaps in service.”
“Almost 250 vendors are here today. Almost 300 cars at the car show. The Children’s Village is free. It’s a great day in Brighton and a great weekend for the community.”
Earlier in the day, visitors were also treated to a flypast from 8 Wing Trenton — a sight Ostrander said was particularly meaningful for a community with strong military ties.
“I want to thank our friends from 8 Wing Trenton for the flypass this morning. That was awesome,” he said.
“We are a military town. So we’re grateful that they come and they show their support here.”
Ostrander said the response from vendors was equally encouraging.
“I took this morning, before most people showed up, and I thanked every single vendor on Main Street,” he said.
“And they said to me, ‘No thank you. This is the best organized festival that we ever go to.’”
For Ostrander, that kind of response speaks to the work that takes place long before the crowds arrive.
“Brighton Applefest has been going on for 52 years. It started in 1974 and it just keeps getting better,” he said.
“We have a great committee who puts everything together and they parse the work off. So there’s two people who manage the Kids Village, a couple people manage the car show and the downtown vendor show. And it just keeps getting better.”
Remembering ‘Farmer Dave’
But before the celebration officially got underway, Applefest paused to remember a man whose life was deeply connected to Brighton agriculture and the festival itself.
Deputy Mayor Laura Kengt, Chair of Applefest, asked the crowd to remember Dave Cheer, who passed away earlier this year.
Known to many simply as “Farmer Dave,” Cheer and his family at Cheer Farms became an important part of Applefest and the Brighton agricultural community.
“Before we officially begin this year’s Applefest, I would like to take a few minutes to remember someone who was very important to us and a very important part of this festival and the apple industry,” Kengt said.
“Dave passed away earlier this year and we felt that it was important that we take a moment here today at Applefest to recognize his contribution and his memory.”
“For Dave, farming wasn’t simply a job. It was a way of life.”
Kengt spoke about Cheer’s family — his wife Lorraine and daughters Kimberly and Jennifer — and the role Cheer Farms played in the community.
“Cheer Farms represents everything that makes Applefest special,” she said. “Apples, family, local business, hard work, and community.”
She recalled a story that perfectly captured the character of the farmer.
“I’m sure most of you have heard the story of Dave arriving before dawn on Applefest morning, setting up with a flashlight, while most of Brighton was still asleep.”
“And I think that image captures who Dave was. While the rest of us were waiting for the festival to begin, Dave was already at work.”
“Dave showed up. He worked hard. And he helped others. And he gave it everything he had.”
Kengt said Cheer understood that Applefest was about far more than the fruit that gives the festival its name.
“Dave understood that Applefest wasn’t just about apples. It was about bringing people together,” she said.
“It’s about celebrating the farmers who grow our food, the businesses that support our community, the volunteers who make these events possible, and the families who come together year after year.”
The crowd then observed a quiet moment in Cheer’s memory.
“We remember Dave Cheer not only as a farmer but as a husband, father, grandfather, friend, neighbour and community builder,” Kengt said.
“We remember his contribution to Brighton agriculture. His legacy is part of Brighton and it’s part of the Applefest story.”
Celebrating the harvest
MPP David Piccini also praised the community and the people who make Applefest possible.
“Welcome to Brighton,” Piccini told the crowd.
“For those of you who aren’t from our community, can we give a big shout out to the incredible staff at the Municipality of Brighton.”
He also recognized Ostrander and the many local businesses and vendors participating in the event.
“We are so blessed to live in an incredible rural community celebrating our agricultural roots, celebrating all things rural, the harvest and almost 250 vendors,” Piccini said.
“It keeps getting better every year.”
Piccini noted that almost every vendor participating is from the local community.
“So, a big shout out to all of our local vendors because almost every single vendor is from our community.”
He encouraged visitors to enjoy everything Applefest has to offer.
“Enjoy Applefest, enjoy celebrating all things that are local, our agricultural roots. Have a fantastic weekend everyone.”
Keeping Applefest accessible
Ostrander also recognized provincial support for the festival, saying a grant helped the municipality keep activities such as the Children’s Village free while supporting other aspects of the event.
“We received a grant for Applefest from the province and it helps do things like keep the Children’s Village free for everyone and it helps us attract more cars to the car show,” he said.
“And everything you see this weekend, from the beginning at the ecumenical service to whatever is going on in your lives for Applefest, it’s grants like this that help us keep moving forward.”
He thanked Piccini and the province for the contribution.
“Minister Piccini, thank you to the province for your contribution to Applefest. It is truly appreciated.”
Kengt also thanked the festival’s sponsors — Vanderlaan Building Products, Ontario Power Generation, Brighton Home Hardware and Connect Bookkeeping — along with the many volunteers who spent nearly a year preparing for the event.
“If you see someone running around in one of these yellow shirts, please take a minute to thank them,” she said.
And as the crowds continued to pour into downtown Brighton, Ostrander had one final message for visitors.
“If you’re not from Brighton, you’re going to love it here,” he said.
“Come on back and buy a house. It’s going to be great. You’re going to love it.”
For 52 years, Applefest has been about apples — but as thousands of people filled Brighton on Saturday, it was clear the festival has grown into something much bigger.
It is a celebration of the harvest, but also of farmers, families, volunteers, local businesses, music, food and the community itself.
As Ostrander put it: “We’re celebrating the harvest, but we’re celebrating having a great time here in Brighton, too.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
