Tigerton Applefest brings community together

Apple pie was the order of the day, and there was no shortage of the all-American tradition at Tigerton’s annual Applefest on Sept. 23.

“We had 178 pies today,” said organizer Cindy Mueller.

The apples for the pies are locally sourced and, like most of the other ingredients, were donated. Some ingredients were purchased with donations, most notably from Thrivent, Mueller said.

The pies were judged by a panel of local dignitaries, with no knowledge of who baked which pie.

In the traditional category, Mueller was the winner, with Sharon Thiel taking second and Brennan Jacobi third.

Mueller also won the apple pie variation division with her apple raspberry pie. An apple blueberry pie by Joyce Wudstrack took second, while Claire Dobberstein’s apple pear strudel was third.

The Applefest was first held in 2010 and is held every year on the fourth Saturday in September, except for in 2020.

Once all the ingredients are on hand, volunteers cut the apples and make the pies (each with a homemade crust) at the Legion Hall and Village Hall.

“It builds community and friendships,” Mueller said. “Everyone helps out, and we all enjoy each other’s company.”

Along with the pies, Applefest includes other food, non-alcoholic drinks, live music, crafts, vendors and a petting zoo.

“It’s a great family event,” Mueller said.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Tigerton Main Street program. Mueller said usually around $1,000 is raised from the event.

The weekend also featured an open house at the Tigerton Food Pantry, a street dance, a grand opening at Blazer’s Bar and Grill, a Lions Club steak fry, a couple of family and class reunions plus a wedding.

kpasson@newmedia-wi.com