NORTHBOROUGH – Well, at least it didn’t rain on the Applefest parade this time.
However, inclement weather postponed the fireworks until Sept. 29, and caused the street fair to move from Sept. 21 to Sept. 22.
The fireworks will now take place from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Algonquin Regional High School athletic fields. The fireworks are set to take place at 7 p.m., though the community is invited to come early to get your spot on the grass and enjoy food at the event.
Parking is $20 per car. This is a weather permitting event.
Northborough Rotary Club President Pat Doyle said they watched the weather forecast for weeks for the street fair.
“All of a sudden there’s a little storm off the coast that decides to stay there for four days, and we had to postpone the street fair for only the second time in the history of the street fair,” said Doyle.
Out of the 70 vendors scheduled to be at the fair, about five were not able to come the following day, though one vendor that couldn’t make the original date ended up being able to showcase at the fair.
“The crowds look great, the weather is wonderful,” she said. “I can take a sigh of relief and say there is another year in the books.”
Otherwise, most of the events for Applefest weekend took place as planned.
On Saturday, Sept. 21, dozens of men, women and children laced it up for the 5K run/walk at the Zeh Elementary School. The Farmers Market drew a big crowd despite the weather, along with the craft fair at Trinity Church, the book sale at the Northborough Free Library, and the open house at the fire station.
The street fair featured new initiatives sponsored by the Rotary Club. Visitors were encouraged to bring their own water bottles; Rotary provided several water stations at the fair. Also, bins were set up for those having lunch to recycle and/or compost their leftovers.
Members of the Northborough/Southborough Interact Club were on hand to assist, and to provide information.
The parade on Sept. 22 drew hundreds of spectators — including scores of candy-seeking children — along Main Street. Other events included the classic car show and the barbecue at Trinity Church.
“That’s what makes the difference. At the end of the day, if everyone’s happy and having a good time — if all the kids are coming out — that’s what it’s all about and it’s all worth it. The community’s coming together. We spent the whole year planning this,” said organizer Michelle Gillespie.
