Festival celebrates apples all weekend in Lisbon

By D.a. Wilkinson

LISBON — The Johnny Appleseed Festival this coming weekend will celebrate all things apple.

People can buy apple dumplings, apple butter, apple fritters, apple pie, homemade apple pie ice cream, apple fudge, apple cider, and even apple dog biscuits.

Numerous events run Saturday and Sunday, and there will be some activities Friday evening for the Johnny Appleseed Queen contest.

The festival this year is dedicated to three men from the Yellow Creek Grange near Wellsville who have been making apple butter for years. There are: Raymond James, who is 97 years old; Walter Hanlan, who is in his late 80’s; and Gail McIntosh, who is deceased.

Joe Morenz of Lisbon drew a likeness of the three men that now adorns a plate that will be available at the festival, according to Marilyn McCullough, the executive director of the Lisbon Area Chamber of Commerce.

There are also new events, including a car cruise on Saturday and a biker’s cruise on Sunday,

The chamber will also be showcasing its new headquarters, which is located just off the village square where the festival is located.

Craig Brown, the Columbiana County recorder, is handling the Apple Queen contest. The finalists are Ashton Unger, Jenna Daggy, Chelea Stoffel, and Emma DeFillipo.

Brown said he had recruited previous queen candidates to help with the judging.

The court will have a dinner at the East Liverpool Motor Lodge on Friday night.

The queen will be announced and crowned immediately following the parade at 11 a.m. Saturday. The parade will form at McKinley School and proceed west on Lincoln Way to the square.

Brown is also involved with a an apple-pie baking contest at 3 p.m. Saturday.