LORDSTOWN For some fun, squeeze in the cider festival

Two festivals combined efforts.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
LORDSTOWN -- It could get a little confusing at times.
Each September, residents of and visitors to Lordstown could attend two separate festivals, even viewing separate fireworks displays.
But a few years ago, village officials and festival committee members combined their efforts to produce the annual Apple Cider Festival.
The 19th installment of the annual event is set for Saturday and Sunday at the Trumbull Career and Technical Center, the former Gordon D. James Center, on Salt Springs Road.
"The village used to have its own festival, and then the Apple Cider Festival was also going on," said Mayor Arno Hill.
Finances helped bring the two festivals together several years ago, he said.
Needed money
Although festival committee members would hold fund-raisers throughout the year, Hill said, there never seemed to be enough money in the coffers; many times the Apple Cider Festival committee was in the hole.
"So we decided to co-sponsor the event with them, and have been for several years now," Hill said.
In recent years, the Lordstown Apple Cider Festival has drawn about 20,000 visitors annually. Admission is free. Hours are noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
The midway will offer rides, games and a variety of food, from French fries prepared by village firefighters to fresh apple cider pressed by the village Lions Club. Other festivities include a parade, a chicken dinner at the TCTC, musical entertainment and crafts.
Schoolhouse tours
Another highlight of the annual festival is the tours of the historical one-room schoolhouse. The schoolhouse museum will open for tours from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday.
The structure was moved two years ago from David and June Harrison's Salt Springs Road property to Founders Park on Salt Springs Road. The Harrisons donated the schoolhouse to the village historical society. The building is one of the village's three 19th-century one-room schoolhouses. It's believed to be at least 145 years old.
For information on the Lordstown Apple Cider Festival, call (330) 824-2650.
slshaulis@vindy.com