Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com

Apple Fritters were obviously a big attraction at the Apple Harvest Festival in Southington, Connecticut. On Sunday, October 5, it looked as if the entire population of the town of Southington and then some had turned out for the event, with a good many of them waiting in a line about two blocks long to scoop up those apple fritters. Now in its 46th year, the fritters have been made by the local Zion Lutheran Church since the fair’s inaugural year. They are so much a part of the fabric of this festival that “The Story of the Apple Fritter” can be found posted on the fritter booth with bountiful credit given to the original cook, Dot Czarnota, and Pastor Steinke’s wife, who suggested the congregation sell apple fritters at “Southington’s New Apple Harvest Festival” back in 1969.

Making the fritters.

“The Story of the Apple Fritter”.

On Sunday, October 5, the line for apple fritters stretched about two blocks in length.

Oh those Apple Fritters!

The central part of downtown Southington around the town green is closed off during hours for the festival that draws 100,000 attendees each year, according to organizers. Although rain caused it to be cancelled the day before – Sunday’s attendance was huge.

Lawn chairs had been set up on the streets by festival-goers holding their places for the 2 p.m. parade as they mulled about enjoying all kinds of food – including hot dogs and hamburgers made by the Southington Fire Department – carnival rides, crafts, kid’s games and more.

The Apple Harvest Festival runs two weekends in autumn, Friday through Sunday. Anyone who missed this past weekend can pencil it in for this coming weekend, Friday, October 10, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday, October 11, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday- noon to 5 p.m. Admission and musical entertainment is free. There is shuttle service in order to take advantage of free parking but it does not run on Friday. There is a limited amount of parking in downtown private lots for a fee. 

As for those ever popular apple fritters – a half dozen sell for $5 and a dozen for $7. The Zion Lutheran Church Apple Fritter booth is scheduled to be opened all week, right through to next Sunday: October 6 to October 10 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.; October 11, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and October 12, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or for as long as the supply lasts on that last day. For more information go to http://www.Southington.org/AHF and click on – what else – apple fritters.