Cambridge Life: Fall Is Upon Us! Cambridge Life: Fall Is Upon Us!

The landscape is changing and the colors are amazing. It looks like we may have one of the best foliage seasons in years. Did you know that New York is the second largest apple producing state in the United States. Here are some apple pickin' facts:

1. New York is the second largest apple producing state in the United States
2. New York State averages 29.5 million bushels of production annually
3. Apples are grown on 51,097 bearing acres in six major production districts throughout the entire state
4. There are approximately 694 commercial apple growers in New York State
5. New York State grows and markets more commercial varieties of fresh eating apples than any other region of the country, including 19 of the most popular varieties;
The New York apple industry provides employment for thousands of New Yorkers. 694 family farms, 10,000 direct agricultural jobs,7,500 indirect jobs involved with handling, distribution, marketing and shipping of apple exports and thousands of other indirect jobs including agricultural supplies (equipment, chemicals and services), financial services and apple processing.

and an Apple a day keeps the doctor away!

The Cambridge Apple Festival is a celebration of autumn. Join me in Railroad Park (across from the Cambridge Hotel) for a festive day dedicated to the Apple. Not only will you find apple pies, but there will be children's activities, prizes for pumpkin painting and apple eating, plus crafts and vendor booths. I'll be manning the Cambridge Food Co-op Booth from 10 am - noon. Stop by and try treats created from the Co-op's own Cookbook (also for sale at the booth)

CALLING ALL APPLE PIE BAKERS: Win bragging rights to the best pie in town and get your name placed on the menu of the Cambridge Hotel and your recipe used by the Hotel for 3 months, as the famous Pie ala Mode, plus other great prizes. Amateur bakers, budding chefs & chef wannabes, are invited to are invited to enter their favorite apple pie (no professional bakers or chefs please). Judging is by the public and our panel of "professional" judges. Pick up a registration form at many local businesses or on-line. APPLE PIE EATERS! Pie Bake Off entries will need to be delivered to Railroad Park between 8:30 and 10am Saturday morning.

IS PIE TASTING MORE YOUR SPEED? You can be an official taste tester of all of the pie bake-off entries. Public tasting is open from 11-2, with the semi-final results announced at 2 pm. The winners will be chosen by the professional judges at 6 pm.

Grin Mobile Laser Tag 11am will be set up in VARAK Park

In Railroad Park LadyScarecrow will be on hand to tell her stories "The Scarecrows Hat" and "Spookey The Legend of the Square Pumpkin"

For the adults, Black Dog Wines and Liquor will have a spirited taste testing from 12 noon - 3 pm at their shop at 63 West Main Street.

Pie Eating Contest sponsored by: The Cambridge Hotel, Stewart's Ice Cream and K Ward Realty scheduled for 4:00 pm during the festival. Whoever finishes their pie (ala mode of course) first wins! Prizes will be awarded for first and second place. Limited to 25 entrants $5 each..

Don't miss: The Bennington Beledi Dance troupe and local musicians playing throughout the day.

OKTOBERFEST continues in the evening presented by The Cambridge Hotel. Featuring the Albany based band Sirsy to play under the tent, along with festive food and drink as the party continues until 11 pm!